SMU head coach Phil Bennett.

Coaching Experience - Joined the K-State staff in January 1999... Was named defensive coordinator Feb. 15, 1999... In 2000, Bennett led Wildcats to No. 4 final national ranking in total defense and No. 6 national ranking in pass efficiency defense…Coached Dyshod Carter and Jerametrius Butler, just the second pair of teammates in K-State history to each record 10 or more career interceptions (C.J. Masters and Jamie Mendez)… Led K-State to No. 1 national ranking in pass efficiency defense and No. 2 national ranking in total defense in 1999, while helping the Wildcats lead the nation in turnover margin... Nominated as National Assistant Coach of the Year in ’99... Coached the secondary at Oklahoma in 1998, helping the Sooners to a No. 6 national ranking in total defense... Was defensive coordinator at Texas Christian in 1997, leading TCU to its highest defensive ranking in five years... Was defensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 1995 and 1996... In 1995, Texas A&M ranked among the top 10 in every defensive category including third in total defense (257.7) and scoring defense (13.5 ppg)... The Aggies also finished second in passing efficiency defense (88.4 points)... Bennett was named American Football Quarterly Division 1 Defensive Coordinator of the Year... Began his coaching career at Texas A&M as a part-time defensive ends coach from 1979-80 before assuming a full-time position in 1981... Moved to Texas Christian to coach tight ends and tackles in 1982... In 1983, joined Jim Criner’s staff at Iowa State as defensive coordinator... In 1987, took the position of defensive coordinator at Purdue under Fred Akers until 1991... Moved to LSU where he began coaching the outside linebackers in 1992 before being named assistant head coach/defensive coordinator from 1992-94... LSU led the SEC in all defensive categories and finished eighth in the nation in total defense in 1994... Moved back to his alma mater as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 1995 and 1996.

Playing Experience - Played defensive end for Texas A&M from 1974-77 under Emory Bellard... Earned second team All-Southwest Conference honors in 1977.

Bowl Experience - Player at Texas A&M: 1975 Liberty Bowl, 1977 Sun Bowl, 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl... Coach at Texas A&M: 1978 All-American Bowl, 1991 Independence Bowl, 1995 Alamo Bowl... Coach at K-State: 1999 Holiday Bowl, 2001 Cotton Bowl.

Personal -

Born Dec. 3, 1955...

Phil has two children, Sam and Maddie...

Third year at Kansas State, 23rd year as a collegiate coach.

Bennett Coaching History -

1999-2001 Defensive Coordinator, Kansas State

1998 Assistant Coach, Oklahoma

1997 Defensive Coordinator, Texas Christian

1995-96 Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M

1993-94 Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, LSU

1992 Assistant Coach, LSU

1987-91 Defensive Coordinator, Purdue

1983-86 Defensive Coordinator, Iowa State

1982 Assistant Coach, Texas Christian

1979-81 Assistant Coach, Texas A&M

Related Links -

Bennett tells K-State team he's new coach at SMU (PowerCat Illustrated)

Two Bennetts to SMU (TexasFootball.com)

Bennett to sign five-year deal with SMU (ESPN.com)