Pat Fitzgerald feels '100% vindicated' after settlement with Northwestern

For years, Pat Fitzgerald had been a program legend at Northwestern. Certainly, his track record there was phenomenal. However, he saw his tenure end amid a scandal over hazing within the program ahead of the 2023 season.

That, of course, led to a lawsuit that was settled in August. Most of the details regarding it remain unknown to the public. At the time, Northwestern publicly shared that while inappropriate conduct did occur within the program, none of it was tied to Fitzgerald himself. In that respect, he was vindicated.

Now ready to return to coaching, Fitzgerald appeared on the College GameDay Podcast. There, he broke down his feelings on the settlement and the vindication he is proud to have attached to his name.

“I feel 100% vindicated,” Fitzgerald said. “I mean, you alluded to the statement earlier, I’ll let that speak for itself. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to talk about other things a part of that settlement, but I feel very, very vindicated.”

News of the Northwestern hazing scandal broke in July of 2023, with reports of hazing incidents, which included assaulting younger players for poor performance. Initially, Fitzgerald would be suspended for two weeks before being fired for the scandal. That led to his $130 million wrongful termination lawsuit, which was recently settled.

Today, Northwestern’s roster is still full of players whom Pat Fitzgerald recruited, and he’s rooting for them. At the same time, he’s also looking for his next opportunity as a coach now that he’s received that vindication.

“Again, especially for our players and their families. The facts are the facts, and I feel vindicated for our players, our families, our staff, and I’m happy for my guys. I’ve got a bunch of them out there. I think 10 of the 11 starters are gonna go compete their rear end off on that defense for Timmy McGarigle in LA this weekend. A top-20 defense. I think six or so of the starters on offense. So, those are my guys. I love them, I’m proud of them, and I want to see them have great success,” Fitzgerald said.

“Then, we’ll see if I get another group here, hopefully soon. It’s been a weird eight weeks for me. I’m president of the AFCA, a longtime member of the AFCA board, and to be, unfortunately, now seeing guys lose their opportunities — I’m not a fan of it. You know, I’m a coach, but now that presents an opportunity for me and if I get the privilege to go represent another school, a group of student athletes, an athletic department, a community, there’s plenty of research that these ADs and these search firms can go and look and everybody knows exactly who I am.”

Fitzgerald is an Illinois native who was a two-time All-American, two-time All-Big Ten selection, two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the year, two-time Nagurski winner, and two-time Budnarik winner during his time at Northwestern as a player. Unsurprisingly, he made it to the College Football Hall of Fame. He’d then join the Northwestern coaching staff in 2001, being promoted to head coach in 2006. In 17 seasons there, he went 110-101 with a 65-76 record in Big Ten play. Those are both records for wins and Big Ten wins for a Northwestern coach.

“There’s a consistency level in what we did and how we did it,” Fitzgerald said. “But also, I think the people who know me know who I am. I’m proud of what we accomplished collectively and look forward to doing that again and winning championships, because that’s what I’ve done.”