Pat Fitzgerald and Northwestern Strike Settlement in Controversial Wrongful Termination Lawsuit

Pat Fitzgerald, the former head football coach at Northwestern University, has reached a settlement in his wrongful termination lawsuit. His dismissal followed serious allegations of hazing within the football program.

In the summer of 2023, Northwestern released findings from an investigation that implicated hazing incidents. Initially, Fitzgerald received a two-week suspension. However, after significant public backlash and reports from The Daily Northwestern, he was fired just three days later. Fitzgerald claimed he was unaware of any hazing and filed a lawsuit seeking $130 million.

Fitzgerald stated, “I had no knowledge of hazing in the Northwestern football program and never encouraged it.” His discovery process revealed that some hazing did occur but emphasized he wasn’t informed about it. He expressed disappointment that players engaged in such behavior without reporting it to him.

Northwestern settled 34 lawsuits this past May related to the hazing claims. The university maintains that its priority is the safety and well-being of its community, including student-athletes. They concluded that Fitzgerald did not condone or direct hazing. Nonetheless, he felt let down by how events unfolded, emphasizing the reputational damage caused by media coverage at the time.

Fitzgerald, who coached for 17 years, finished his tenure with a 110-101 record. His final season was particularly tough, ending with just one win. Following the settlement, Fitzgerald’s agent said he is looking forward to returning to coaching. His son, Ryan, plays quarterback at Iowa, meaning Fitzgerald has remained active in college football circles.

Hazing remains a pressing issue in sports culture. According to a recent survey by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), nearly 20% of athletes report experiencing hazing during their college careers. This highlights the need for better communication and preventative measures within athletic programs.

As schools grapple with these serious issues, it’s vital for both athletes and coaches to foster an environment of openness and trust.



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Northwestern Wildcats, College Football