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Pat Fitzgerald Says He Is '100% Vindicated,' Seeks Return to College Coaching

He says an August settlement, along with the university’s findings, cleared the way for him to pursue head‑coaching jobs.

Overview

  • In his first public comments since his 2023 firing, Fitzgerald told ESPN’s College GameDay podcast that his outreach to schools has been "received very well."
  • His $130 million wrongful-termination lawsuit against Northwestern was resolved in August via a confidential settlement that averted a November trial.
  • Northwestern’s post-settlement statement said inappropriate conduct occurred in the program but that discovery did not establish that players reported hazing to or that Fitzgerald condoned or directed it.
  • This hiring cycle features numerous openings across FBS and the Power Four, and industry reporting places Fitzgerald as a plausible candidate for several posts.
  • Fitzgerald’s Northwestern tenure spanned 17 seasons with a 110-101 record, 11 bowl appearances and two Big Ten West division titles.