Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has hired former SMU assistant Joe Tumpkin as linebacker's coach.

Tumpkin has spent the past three seasons coaching linebackers for the Mustangs and has had stints in various roles at Sam Houston State, Lakeland College and Southern Illinois along with several other stops as a graduate assistant. He played football at Michigan Tech and graduated in 1994.

While at SMU he worked with new Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Tumpkin replaces Charlie Partridge, who resigned two weeks ago and joined the staff at Wisconsin, and thus he will also have some special teams duties.

The move means Wannstedt has finally filled his staff after losing five assistant coaches since the end of the season.

"The addition of Joe to our coaching staff fills three important needs for us," Wannstedt said in a statement. "Number one, Joe is a seasoned linebacker coach. Secondly, he has worked extensively with special teams. Finally, as a Miami native, he is very familiar with the state of Florida and has recruited there the last several years. We're excited about him joining us."