Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald broke his long silence Thursday, telling ESPN he feels “100% vindicated” by this summer’s settlement of his wrongful termination lawsuit.
In his first public comments since he was fired in July 2023 after 17 seasons, Fitzgerald also told the “College Game Day” podcast that he is actively seeking a return to coaching.
Northwestern fired Fitzgerald following allegations of hazing in the football program. He sued the school for $130 million and settled for an undisclosed amount in August.
“I feel 100% vindicated,” Fitzgerald said. “… Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to talk about other things a part of that settlement, but I feel very, very vindicated.”
Fitzgerald said he feels “very fortunate” with how he has been treated while exploring job opportunities.
“It’s been great working through this process,” he said. “There’s been conversations with a lot of folks. It’s been face-to-face, it’s been on Zoom, it’s been phone calls. (My candidacy has) been received very well.”
An All-American linebacker at Northwestern in the mid-1990s, Fitzgerald guided his alma mater to a 110-101 record with 10 bowl appearances on the sideline from 2006-22. He was the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2018.
Northwestern initially suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks during its investigation into allegations of hazing and sexual abuse made by a former player in late 2022. The school changed course and fired him a few days later.
After its settlement, Northwestern released a statement that said its investigation “did not establish that any player reported hazing to Coach Fitzgerald or that Coach Fitzgerald condoned or directed any hazing.”
Fitzgerald told the podcast he still has strong feelings toward the university.
“I love Northwestern. Unfortunately, things went the way that they went. It’s all about how you respond. If you talk to anyone that’s been around me, (my wife) Stacy and our boys the last few years. The Fitzgerald family is going to respond and respond boldly.
“It’s not been an easy road. We let the facts speaks for themselves, and we’re ready to move forward and move on.”