The University of Pennsylvania fired its head football coach John Stiegman Saturday, and said it was considering expanding its football program next season.

Stiegman was hired under unusual circumstances in 1959. The University had fired Steve Sebo, who had led Penn to the Ivy title with a 6-1 record, and the firing was widely interpreted as a move to de-emphasize football.

Since Stiegman took over, Penn has not had a winning season. The Quakers were 3-6 in 1960, 1961, and 1963,; in 1962 they were 2-7; and this season they lost eight in a row after defeating Lehigh, 13-6, in the opening game.

Assistants Retained

Stiegman's assistants were retained for another year. The University said they might continue to assist the new football coach or be given jobs in "an expanded football program."

No new head coach was named in the announcement. Speculation centered on Bod Odell, the coach who led Bucknell to the Lambert Cup (and a 24-21 victory over Harvard) this year.