Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern have settled a lawsuit over his termination from the program back in 2023.
Fitzgerald was dismissed from Northwestern amid an investigation into hazing within the program while he was head coach. Shortly after being fired for cause, Fitzgerald sued the university for $130 million.
Financial terms of the settlement were not released by either party. However, Northwestern acknowledged in a statement that Fitzgerald was never directly informed of any hazing going on within the program. The statement, attached below, also says Fitzgerald was “incredibly upset and saddened” about the negative impact certain conduct had on Northwestern players.
Following the settlement announcement, Fitzgerald also released a statement through his attorneys. Here’s an excerpt from that statement:
Though I maintain Northwestern had no legal basis to terminate my employment for cause under the terms of my Employment Agreement, in the interest of resolving this matter and, in particular, to relieve my family from the stress of ongoing litigation, Northwestern and I have agreed to a settlement, and I am satisfied with the terms of the settlement.
Fitzgerald played at Northwestern from 1993-96 and then coached there from 2001 until the summer of 2023 when he was terminated amid the hazing investigation. He was the head coach of the Wildcats from 2006-22 and led the Wildcats to 3 separate 10-win seasons during his tenure.
Fitzgerald’s agent told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that he is “eager” to resume his coaching career.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
