Former Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett has been hired to the same role at Arizona State University.
As reported first by FootballScoop.com, the 61-year old will be taking over a program that was statistically one of the worst defenses in college football this past year. On average, the Sun Devils allowed 520.5 yards per game and 39.9 points per game to finish fourth in the Pac-12 South division with a 5-7 record.
Bennett, who spent six seasons as a head coach for SMU, had stops at Pittsburgh, Kansas State, TCU, Texas A&M, LSU, Purdue and Iowa State He will take over current defensive coordinator Keith Patterson’s duties. Patterson will remain with the team as a linebackers coach.
Bennett has seen his defenses rank as high as 28th in the nation in yards allowed per game at Baylor and will look to bolster a lackluster defense alongside former Allen head coach and current Arizona State head coach Todd Graham.