Northwestern University fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday amid a hazing scandal at the Big 10 school.
Fitzgerald was the all-time-winningest coach in Northwestern history, with a 110-101 record in 17 seasons.
“The damage done to our institution is significant, as is the harm to some of our students,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in a statement emailed to the university community.
Schill initially suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay but told the coach Monday that “he was being relieved of his duties effective immediately.” The president cited the allegedly “broken” culture in the program.
The university’s student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, published accounts over the last few days from former players about the alleged hazing in the program. Schill concluded the coach should have known about it.
Fitzgerald sent a statement to ESPN on Monday night. He said he was “surprised” that Schill “unilaterally revoked our agreement” to the two-week suspension “without any prior notification.” The coach claimed an external investigation had concluded he had “no knowledge whatsoever of hazing within the Northwestern football program.”
Schill said he discussed the situation with Northwestern’s board of trustees, faculty leadership, students, alumni, and Fitzgerald.
“I have also received many phone calls, text messages, and emails from those I know, and those I don’t, sharing their thoughts,” he said. “While I am appreciative of the feedback and considered it in my decision-making, ultimately, the decision to originally suspend Coach Fitzgerald was mine and mine alone, as is the decision to part ways with him.”
ESPN reported that Fitzgerald, who was in the second year of a 10-year, $57 million contract, spoke briefly to team members Monday night.
Defensive coordinator David Braun is expected to be named the team’s acting coach, ESPN reported.
The National College Players Association has called for more investigations into charges related to the program, USA Today reported on Tuesday.
Northwestern opens the 2023 season on September 3 at Rutgers.