Rumor from friend who works in athletic department

[Cannoli2927]

I used to work at Northwestern and have a friend in the athletic department so take it for what it’s worth.

Hearing both Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian are safe. Fitz is happy with Jim on the recruiting front, and the two are very close personally.

He expects the entire offensive staff to remain. Thinks Marty Long may retire and possibility McPherson or McGarigle will take another job elsewhere. O’Neil will lead the search for replacements.

Obviously things can change and take it for what it is. A rumor/hearsay.

I know Fitz doesn’t like to fire coaches without ensuring they can land on their feet elsewhere. The NU Football family means something.

 

[Titanium999]

What rumor?

 

[Ryanfield124]

I used to work at Northwestern and have a friend in the athletic department so take it for what it’s worth.

Hearing both Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian are safe. Fitz is happy with Jim on the recruiting front, and the two are very close personally.

He expects the entire offensive staff to remain. Thinks Marty Long may retire and possibility McPherson or McGarigle will take another job elsewhere. O’Neil will lead the search for replacements.

Obviously things can change and take it for what it is. A rumor/hearsay.

I know Fitz doesn’t like to fire coaches without ensuring they can land on their feet elsewhere. The NU Football family means something.

So NU Football is a work placement program? That's what we're doing here?

 

[Cannoli2927]

So NU Football is a work placement program? That's what we're doing here?

Thats the nature of college football coaches. It’s very much a spoils system which is why you see the same coaches recycled all the time. If Fitz gets Urbans buddy a job Urban gets Fitz’s buddy a job as an example. They all lookout for each other.

 

[CatManTrue]

I used to work at Northwestern and have a friend in the athletic department so take it for what it’s worth.

Hearing both Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian are safe. Fitz is happy with Jim on the recruiting front, and the two are very close personally.

He expects the entire offensive staff to remain. Thinks Marty Long may retire and possibility McPherson or McGarigle will take another job elsewhere. O’Neil will lead the search for replacements.

Obviously things can change and take it for what it is. A rumor/hearsay.

I know Fitz doesn’t like to fire coaches without ensuring they can land on their feet elsewhere. The NU Football family means something.

@Turk ? Is that you?

 

[peatymeanis]

I used to work at Northwestern and have a friend in the athletic department so take it for what it’s worth.

Hearing both Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian are safe. Fitz is happy with Jim on the recruiting front, and the two are very close personally.

He expects the entire offensive staff to remain. Thinks Marty Long may retire and possibility McPherson or McGarigle will take another job elsewhere. O’Neil will lead the search for replacements.

Obviously things can change and take it for what it is. A rumor/hearsay.

I know Fitz doesn’t like to fire coaches without ensuring they can land on their feet elsewhere. The NU Football family means something.

LOL

 

[mountaindrew]

@Turk ? Is that you?

Yeah, I wondered that too.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

As much as this would seem to be a rouse - be honest - how much of this sounds like PF norms? A legit program would have sent JON packing long ago. Program is back in the dark ages.

 

[Cannoli2927]

As much as this would seem to be a rouse - be honest - how much of this sounds like PF norms? A legit program would have sent JON packing long ago. Program is back in the dark ages.

I do know for a fact that Pat Fitzgerald contractually has full autonomy of his assistants. The Athletic department cannot fire Jim O’Neil without PF signing off. My friend did tell me that Pat and Jim are incredibly close and he can’t see a scenario where Pat fires him after just two seasons.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Even if your buddy actually works in the athletic department, I'm skeptical that he would be privy to the specific things you wrote.

 

[CatManTrue]

I do know for a fact that Pat Fitzgerald contractually has full autonomy of his assistants. The Athletic department cannot fire Jim O’Neil without PF signing off. My friend did tell me that Pat and Jim are incredibly close and he can’t see a scenario where Pat fires him after just two seasons.

If this is true, then the good news is that my 2023 fall Saturdays just became wide open.

But if this is Turk, then I’ll take solace in also knowing that the earth is flat.

 

[Cannoli2927]

Even if your buddy actually works in the athletic department, I'm skeptical that he would be privy to the specific things you wrote.

Take it for what it is. He told me it’s not a predictable business. If the Cats lose by 30 pts every game for the rest of the year perhaps PF changes his mind. He did say the decision will be Fitz’s and Fitz’s alone because of the contract.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Take it for what it is. He told me it’s not a predictable business. If the Cats lose by 30 pts every game for the rest of the year perhaps PF changes his mind. He did say the decision will be Fitz’s and Fitz’s alone because of the contract.

So your friend is in a position to know the details of the contract?

 

[Cannoli2927]

So your friend is in a position to know the details of the contract?

Not saying anything about his position.

 

[NUChicago]

This made me laugh but terrified me.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Not saying anything about his position.

If he really knows the things that you claim he knows, that's pretty suggestive.

 

[Cannoli2927]

If he really knows the things that you claim he knows, that's pretty suggestive.

He’s a very close friend of mine, and it was only 10-15 min convo.

The clear takeaway I had was that the university handed the football operation over to Pat Fitzgerald without interference from the athletic department. He said Fitz has the support of the key donors and major university officials.

FWIW he did say Pat is a great guy, and enjoyed his interactions will all the coaches including Jim O’Neil.

 

[Koldfire]

I don't know if your friend is correct or if he even exists. I would not be shocked if it played out as he/she stated. Most seasoned coaches do have contractual autonomy on assistant hires and fires. A couple of things lead me to believe that he is fine with the current staff. One, they are his guys and they do it his way. Second and more troubling, I think that Fitz really believe that he, the coordinators and position coaches bear little blame for the poor performance on the field. He may feel that they have to do a better job of getting the guys mentally ready to play on Saturdays. He strongly believes that the scheme, coaching and overall offensive and defensive philosophy are fine. To him, it's simply the failure of the players to execute in games. He constantly states at every press conference that everything looks great on the practice field but does not transfer to Ryan Field. Maybe we should play OSU on the Lakeside Field.

 

[Harris_Island]

Fitz is convinced that things are going to turn around any minute now. Why would he be thinking about firing anyone? The players just have to execute like they do on the practice field.

If the blowout losses continue to mount, so will the pressure. Multiple seasons of 1 - 3 wins will devastate a program.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

Second and more troubling, I think that Fitz really believe that he, the coordinators and position coaches bear little blame for the poor performance on the field. He may feel that they have to do a better job of getting the guys mentally ready to play on Saturdays. He strongly believes that the scheme, coaching and overall offensive and defensive philosophy are fine. To him, it's simply the failure of the players to execute in games. He constantly states at every press conference that everything looks great on the practice field but does not transfer to Ryan Field. Maybe we should play OSU on the Lakeside Field.

You sure know a lot about the way Fitz thinks.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I don't know if your friend is correct or if he even exists. I would not be shocked if it played out as he/she stated. Most seasoned coaches do have contractual autonomy on assistant hires and fires. A couple of things lead me to believe that he is fine with the current staff. One, they are his guys and they do it his way. Second and more troubling, I think that Fitz really believe that he, the coordinators and position coaches bear little blame for the poor performance on the field. He may feel that they have to do a better job of getting the guys mentally ready to play on Saturdays. He strongly believes that the scheme, coaching and overall offensive and defensive philosophy are fine. To him, it's simply the failure of the players to execute in games. He constantly states at every press conference that everything looks great on the practice field but does not transfer to Ryan Field. Maybe we should play OSU on the Lakeside Field.

I don't know how any coach can say "things looked really good in practice" when your team doesn't practice against your opponents.

There has been a size / speed problem in our games. We are at a physical disadvantage. You can't see that in practice.

 

[Koldfire]

You sure know a lot about the way Fitz thinks.

I make no claim to know what Fitz thinks. In most post I said that "I think that he believes... ." I try to listen intently to what he says. His statements after the last three loses led to my thoughts on what he believes. Furthermore, I have yet to hear him directly question his schemes, personnel choices or coaching failures. The class coach speech, "we've got to do a better job" doesn't satisfy MY need for serious effort to stop the hemorrhage.

 

[The Purple Knight]

I used to work at Northwestern and have a friend in the athletic department so take it for what it’s worth.

Hearing both Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian are safe. Fitz is happy with Jim on the recruiting front, and the two are very close personally.

He expects the entire offensive staff to remain. Thinks Marty Long may retire and possibility McPherson or McGarigle will take another job elsewhere. O’Neil will lead the search for replacements.

Obviously things can change and take it for what it is. A rumor/hearsay.

I know Fitz doesn’t like to fire coaches without ensuring they can land on their feet elsewhere. The NU Football family means something.

Terrible if true

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I do know for a fact that Pat Fitzgerald contractually has full autonomy of his assistants. The Athletic department cannot fire Jim O’Neil without PF signing off. My friend did tell me that Pat and Jim are incredibly close and he can’t see a scenario where Pat fires him after just two seasons.

Well, none of us want him to stay two seasons, so...

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

I make no claim to know what Fitz thinks. In most post I said that "I think that he believes... ." I try to listen intently to what he says. His statements after the last three loses led to my thoughts on what he believes. Furthermore, I have yet to hear him directly question his schemes, personnel choices or coaching failures. The class coach speech, "we've got to do a better job" doesn't satisfy MY need for serious effort to stop the hemorrhage.

I think it would be unprofessional for him to throw his "personnel" under the bus in a public setting. I'm also glad that I don't have to publicly justify my job performance to the gawking rabble on a weekly basis. I can't imagine the stress. I'm not terribly concerned with what he has to say publicly, but I think he has earned the right to handle things in a more professional manner out of the public eye. I don't think I'm entitled to all the details.

If he makes no changes in the offseason and continues to deliver moribund results, even Fitz will have to answer for that eventually.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

If this is true, then the good news is that my 2023 fall Saturdays just became wide open.

But if this is Turk, then I’ll take solace in also knowing that the earth is flat.

She's round like my head!
Clang
She's flat like your head

 

[Koldfire]

I think it would be unprofessional for him to throw his "personnel" under the bus in a public setting. I'm also glad that I don't have to publicly justify my job performance to the gawking rabble on a weekly basis. I can't imagine the stress. I'm not terribly concerned with what he has to say publicly, but I think he has earned the right to handle things in a more professional manner out of the public eye. I don't think I'm entitled to all the details.

If he makes no changes in the offseason and continues to deliver moribund results, even Fitz will have to answer for that eventually.

I don't disagree. I believe individuals should only be praised publicly. But when you know that you and your team has failed miserably to meet the expectations of stakeholders, you have to step to the public podium with a plan that regains confidence and paints a path to recovery. GMs CEO would never publicly say that our engine quality is subpar because our assembly workers are underperforming.

 

[HKKJB]

He’s a very close friend of mine, and it was only 10-15 min convo.

The clear takeaway I had was that the university handed the football operation over to Pat Fitzgerald without interference from the athletic department. He said Fitz has the support of the key donors and major university officials.

FWIW he did say Pat is a great guy, and enjoyed his interactions will all the coaches including Jim O’Neil.

"enjoyed his interactions" - this is what concerns me most. Beyond looking like a classic buddy hire, JON looks/sounds like a big talker - and a good one at that. Sure, communication is a critical aspect of good leadership. But we've all met people who are such good talkers that the the talking becomes a substitute for substance and results. They are so good at it that they buy their own narrative - while their soothsaying skill postpones the reckoning that needs to happen before things actually get better. I'm a Fitz fan and I've never felt he was only about the talk. But JON is. Every time he explains, talks, or makes makes skillful excuses, the program will fail to grasp the nettle. To the extent Fitz buys the talk, JON can do a great deal of damage not only to his buddy Fitz, but to the program. In which case, if he's really going to stay, then demote him and focus him on recruiting and engaging donors. That's a talk job, and he can do that at least.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

He’s a very close friend of mine, and it was only 10-15 min convo.

The clear takeaway I had was that the university handed the football operation over to Pat Fitzgerald without interference from the athletic department. He said Fitz has the support of the key donors and major university officials.

FWIW he did say Pat is a great guy, and enjoyed his interactions will all the coaches including Jim O’Neil.

Guess NU will test the notion of having a team with zero support outside families and a few donors. No media, few students, dwindling alum, minimal ST sales, terrible local ratings, D2 level recruits, etc. maybe the dark ages where a better time. Our ooc games will have to be away games since we won’t be shelling out the $$$ to invite SIU to kick our arse.

I hope Kellogg does a deep dive with inside info in ten years and turns it into a great case study.

Oh well, no change for me - I went there in the dark ages. I’ll check the scores like I did back then and play around here. Not spending my money or saturdays watching the purple.

I owe hdhtr an away game then I’m done attending, watching, listening to games until NU earns my investment back.

 

[Cannoli2927]

Guess NU will test the notion of having a team with zero support outside families and a few donors. No media, few students, dwindling alum, minimal ST sales, terrible local ratings, D2 level recruits, etc. maybe the dark ages where a better time. Our ooc games will have to be away games since we won’t be shelling out the $$$ to invite SIU to kick our arse.

I hope Kellogg does a deep dive with inside info in ten years and turns it into a great case study.

Oh well, no change for me - I went there in the dark ages. I’ll check the scores like I did back then and play around here. Not spending my money or saturdays watching the purple.

I owe hdhtr an away game then I’m done attending, watching, listening to games until NU earns my investment back.

Fitz is a proud guy who loves this football program more than anyone. I am sure these two years have caused him significant anguish.

From what my friend told me PF thinks differently. He’s not the type of guy who throws others to the sharks to try to save himself. He’s smart and politically savvy. He knows once the sharks are done eating the person he threw overboard there is nobody left to eat but him.

Coaches typically fire assistants because of pressure from above. Fitz does not have to worry about this as he is the shot caller. The guy isn’t going to fire his best friend because a couple of twitter fans are telling him that to.

My two cents? Fitz is focusing on getting better players in here. He likely believes his coordinators were setup to fail because of a couple of recruiting cycles that didn’t work out.

 

[xxxbobxxx]

Fitz is a proud guy who loves this football program more than anyone. I am sure these two years have caused him significant anguish.

From what my friend told me PF thinks differently. He’s not the type of guy who throws others to the sharks to try to save himself. He’s smart and politically savvy. He knows once the sharks are done eating the person he threw overboard there is nobody left to eat but him.

Coaches typically fire assistants because of pressure from above. Fitz does not have to worry about this as he is the shot caller. The guy isn’t going to fire his best friend because a couple of twitter fans are telling him that to.

My two cents? Fitz is focusing on getting better players in here. He likely believes his coordinators were setup to fail because of a couple of recruiting cycles that didn’t work out.

Ok - first - three of the last four years. Next, media, national and local - gone. Chicago’s Big Ten multimillion dollar campaign with it.

Next, STHs are drying up fast. I suspect that revenue related to advertising and merchandising is at lowest point in more than a decade while everything else is inflating in the economy. Student interest has to be getting close to return of the marshmellow.

The program has had some of its best recruiting in recent years, if you believe the experts. We definitely have done better with less talent. But now, Porter is gone and probably represents the first of many decommits. If the plan is better players - that plan is playing out as well as the JON hire.

Meanwhile the program is a dumpster fire, more players will transfer and the school becomes an embarrassment again. Remember, we were ranked number one for two years in a row in penthouse magazine list of worst teams in college football back in the dark ages. Not sure that’s the kinda PR that NU wants.

So, I’m squarely in the camp that says fire PF and his contract. Or threaten to. He also would have trouble finding the next job if he played hard ***. With a $800MM stadium on the hook and millions already spent on the program, if I’m the school president - I’m having hard talks with Ryan and others about the school reputation. Ryan and PF can’t control admissions. Prez could take away all exemptions or offer more - and if I’m prez - I want something from PF. Control back over asst coaching. No control - I’ll let PF burn w zero exception policy. Let him and his merry crew destroy their reputations with a series of 0fer years.

It’s called hardball and spending over $1B isn’t the place for playing graduation trophy games. It’sPF is political, if the prez is worth anything - the contract is but a negotiating element.

 

[Jaguar 88]

Fitz is a proud guy who loves this football program more than anyone. I am sure these two years have caused him significant anguish.

From what my friend told me PF thinks differently. He’s not the type of guy who throws others to the sharks to try to save himself. He’s smart and politically savvy. He knows once the sharks are done eating the person he threw overboard there is nobody left to eat but him.

Coaches typically fire assistants because of pressure from above. Fitz does not have to worry about this as he is the shot caller. The guy isn’t going to fire his best friend because a couple of twitter fans are telling him that to.

My two cents? Fitz is focusing on getting better players in here. He likely believes his coordinators were setup to fail because of a couple of recruiting cycles that didn’t work out.

Hard to get better players in here when you are only winning 1-3 games a season. His recruiting classes are getting better, so why are the results getting worse? Cycles not working out is squarely on the coaching staff. The excuses are going to get old real fast. In fact, they already are!!! You want better recruiting, win. It is simple as that. Fitzgerald is coming off as a grifter and the administration is coming off like a pack of fools.

 

[Cannoli2927]

Ok - first - three of the last four years. Next, media, national and local - gone. Chicago’s Big Ten multimillion dollar campaign with it.

Next, STHs are drying up fast. I suspect that revenue related to advertising and merchandising is at lowest point in more than a decade while everything else is inflating in the economy. Student interest has to be getting close to return of the marshmellow.

The program has had some of its best recruiting in recent years, if you believe the experts. We definitely have done better with less talent. But now, Porter is gone and probably represents the first of many decommits. If the plan is better players - that plan is playing out as well as the JON hire.

Meanwhile the program is a dumpster fire, more players will transfer and the school becomes an embarrassment again. Remember, we were ranked number one for two years in a row in penthouse magazine list of worst teams in college football back in the dark ages. Not sure that’s the kinda PR that NU wants.

So, I’m squarely in the camp that says fire PF and his contract. Or threaten to. He also would have trouble finding the next job if he played hard ***. With a $800MM stadium on the hook and millions already spent on the program, if I’m the school president - I’m having hard talks with Ryan and others about the school reputation. Ryan and PF can’t control admissions. Prez could take away all exemptions or offer more - and if I’m prez - I want something from PF. Control back over asst coaching. No control - I’ll let PF burn w zero exception policy. Let him and his merry crew destroy their reputations with a series of 0fer years.

It’s called hardball and spending over $1B isn’t the place for playing graduation trophy games. It’sPF is political, if the prez is worth anything - the contract is but a negotiating element.

According to my friend university officials are fully in the corner of Pat Fitzgerald. He’s doing a great job fundraising for Northwestern as the new stadium project is their main focus.

I asked about declining season ticket sales and fan support and he said the attendance has been as expected despite the poor on-field performance. The other things you mention (merchandising/advertising) are inconsequential. Northwestern is making plenty of $$ off the Big Ten TV deal with more to come.

I spoke to my friend who worked with President Schill and he confirmed he’s not a big sports guy, and doubts he even attended a Ducks game during his time there.

Long story short. Pat Fitzgerald is king right now. As long as the Big Ten and donor checks continue clear the on-field performance doesn’t really matter. Believe me he spends a lot of time with the Ryan’s and big donors who truly matter.

As I mentioned I do believe Fitz cares about this program and wants to get it turned around. If he does turn it around it will be with the support of the Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian.

 

[NUCat320]

As I mentioned I do believe Fitz cares about this program and wants to get it turned around. If he does turn it around it will be with the support of the Jim O’Neil and Mike Bajakian.

Yeesh. O’Neil as the new Cushing. Maybe PF could get Sandburg or Oak Park-River Forest or … Prospect … to hire O’Neil.

 

[jne381]

This thread is depressing.

I want hope for a brighter future of NU Football.

 

[eddie_gocats]

Plot by PF to leak info and squash the internet fans that NEED to know... awesome Fitzy he he he. J/K.

 

[jensberg]

I don't know if your friend is correct or if he even exists. I would not be shocked if it played out as he/she stated. Most seasoned coaches do have contractual autonomy on assistant hires and fires. A couple of things lead me to believe that he is fine with the current staff. One, they are his guys and they do it his way. Second and more troubling, I think that Fitz really believe that he, the coordinators and position coaches bear little blame for the poor performance on the field. He may feel that they have to do a better job of getting the guys mentally ready to play on Saturdays. He strongly believes that the scheme, coaching and overall offensive and defensive philosophy are fine. To him, it's simply the failure of the players to execute in games. He constantly states at every press conference that everything looks great on the practice field but does not transfer to Ryan Field. Maybe we should play OSU on the Lakeside Field..Looks great in practice because 2 crap units play each other.

 

[Zootcat]

If this thread is the work of a troll, and I still think it might be, it is a magnificent piece of work.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

This "my friend" from a new poster is suspect on many levels.

Nevertheless, it does allow us to discuss our worst fears, the possibility that Fitz is nothing more than an unaccountable, arrogant jerk who won't change because he doesn't have to. I'm old and some of you are even older. It will be sad if we Dark Agers have to endure another Dark Age just because of complacency and arrogance.

I finally moved back to the Midwest and was planning to go to 6-7 games this year. This team is so bad that I'm looking forward to basketball

 

[DarthCat]

Please, we all knew this was largely the case, though we didn’t want to believe it.