Saturday, October 4, 2025
Submit Press Release
Got Action
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Got Action
No Result
View All Result

Northwestern, former football coach Pat Fitzgerald settle lawsuit

August 23, 2025
in NCAA Football
0 0
0
Home NCAA Football
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Northwestern and former football coach Pat Fitzgerald have settled a lawsuit, which was filed by Fitzgerald after his dismissal from the school two years ago. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Fitzgerald sued the school for $130 million for wrongful termination after being fired in July 2023. His firing came amid allegations of hazing in the program, which president Michael Schill at the time called “widespread and clearly not a secret.”

Fitzgerald said in a statement Thursday: “For the past two years, I have engaged in a process of extensive fact and expert discovery, which showed what I have known and said all along — that I had no knowledge of hazing ever occurring in the Northwestern football program and that I never directed or encouraged hazing in any way.”

Fitzgerald acknowledged in the statement that there was hazing in the program but added that he’s “proud to say I ran a world-class football program” while at Northwestern.

“I am extremely disappointed that members of the team engaged in this behavior and that no one reported it to me,” he said, “so that I could have alerted Northwestern’s Athletic Department and administrators, stopped the inappropriate behavior, and taken every necessary step to protect Northwestern’s student athletes.”

In a statement released Thursday, Northwestern said Fitzgerald did not condone or direct any of the alleged hazing.

“While the litigation brought to light highly inappropriate conduct in the football program and the harm it caused, the evidence uncovered during extensive discovery did not establish that any player reported hazing to Coach Fitzgerald or that Coach Fitzgerald condoned or directed any hazing,” the statement read. “Moreover, when presented with the details of the conduct, he was incredibly upset and saddened by the negative impact this conduct had on players within the program.”

Schill is not allowed to comment on Thursday’s settlement because he was a named defendant in Fitzgerald’s lawsuit and did not participate in the settlement process.

Fitzgerald’s firing marked a significant moment for Northwestern athletics, as he had been one of the most transformative figures on the campus as both a player and coach.

Fitzgerald coached there 17 seasons and went 110-101 over that time, making him by far the best coach in school history. He’s also one of the best players in school history, as he starred at linebacker.

“It was a lengthy process, but we’re very, very satisfied with the terms of the settlement,” said Bryan Harlan of Excel Sports, who is Fitzgerald’s agent.

“We think the evidence is overwhelming that Northwestern had no basis whatsoever to terminate my client for cause,” Dan Webb, lead attorney for Fitzgerald, told ESPN. “That was the strength of our case.”

The case was set to go to trial in November. Fitzgerald’s dismissal came after a university investigation found hazing in the program but no knowledge that Fitzgerald knew of it. He was dismissed days after it was announced he was going to be suspended for two weeks.

“The rush to judgment in the media in July of 2023 and the reports that suggested I knew about and directed hazing are false and have caused me, my wife, and my three sons great stress, embarrassment, and reputational harm in the last two years,” Fitzgerald said. “Though I maintain Northwestern had no legal basis to terminate my employment for cause under the terms of my Employment Agreement, in the interest of resolving this matter and, in particular, to relieve my family from the stress of ongoing litigation, Northwestern and I have agreed to a settlement, and I am satisfied with the terms of the settlement.”

In May, the school settled the 34 remaining lawsuits by former football players tied to the hazing allegations.

“Northwestern’s number one priority is the health and safety of all members of its community, including our student athletes,” the school added in its statement Thursday. “The University has taken action to ensure hazing will not occur again, including new training and additional steps for feedback and reporting.”

Fitzgerald’s only formal football involvement the past two seasons came as a volunteer assistant coach at his sons’ high school in the Chicago area.

“With this behind him now, a settlement, with no evidence developed that he did anything wrong, I believe based on everything I’ve been told that he should have some significant opportunities to return to a major university or wherever he chooses to go,” Webb added. “One of the motivations on our part is to get [the settlement], so he could put it behind him and return to coaching, which is what I believe that he’s going to do. The fact that there’s no evidence that he knew about it, I don’t think there will be a barrier to him getting a great job in coaching.”

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg contributed to this story



Source link

Tags: coachFitzgeraldfootballLawsuitNorthwesternPatSettle
Previous Post

Wrexham, Mac support fans’ bid to save Sheffield Wednesday

Next Post

Frankie Montas Done For 2025 Due To “Pretty Significant” UCL Injury

Related Posts

Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel (4 TDs) shines in first start
NCAA Football

Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel (4 TDs) shines in first start

October 4, 2025
Fans leave Clemson vs UNC football game after 28-3 deficit
NCAA Football

Fans leave Clemson vs UNC football game after 28-3 deficit

October 4, 2025
Dynasties ‘over’ for bigger SEC with 9 league games, Kiffin says
NCAA Football

Dynasties ‘over’ for bigger SEC with 9 league games, Kiffin says

October 4, 2025
Does Oregon play today? Schedule, time, channel for next Ducks football game
NCAA Football

Does Oregon play today? Schedule, time, channel for next Ducks football game

October 4, 2025
Rival coach shares theory for Bill Belichick’s struggles at UNC
NCAA Football

Rival coach shares theory for Bill Belichick’s struggles at UNC

October 3, 2025
Key conference matchups, freshmen to know and more ahead of Week 6
NCAA Football

Key conference matchups, freshmen to know and more ahead of Week 6

October 3, 2025
Next Post
Frankie Montas Done For 2025 Due To “Pretty Significant” UCL Injury

Frankie Montas Done For 2025 Due To "Pretty Significant" UCL Injury

Bears’ Ben Johnson slams ‘sloppy’ offense — ‘Not good enough’

Bears' Ben Johnson slams 'sloppy' offense -- 'Not good enough'

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Away Attendances at the Weekend – 8th September 2025

Away Attendances at the Weekend – 8th September 2025

September 8, 2025
How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

March 12, 2025
Is Max Verstappen in the mix to win the 2025 Drivers’ title?

Is Max Verstappen in the mix to win the 2025 Drivers’ title?

September 25, 2025
Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

August 10, 2025
Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

October 4, 2025
Fans urge Miami Heat to sign former MVP after Tyler Herro surgery news, ‘he’d immediately be the best player’

Fans urge Miami Heat to sign former MVP after Tyler Herro surgery news, ‘he’d immediately be the best player’

September 19, 2025
Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

231
Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

3
The longest an NCAA bracket has ever stayed perfect

The longest an NCAA bracket has ever stayed perfect

1
Hanshin Tigers shut out Cubs, Dodgers for back-to-back wins

Hanshin Tigers shut out Cubs, Dodgers for back-to-back wins

1
Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

1
Oregon basketball lands 5-star recruit Tajh Ariza, son of longtime NBA player Trevor Ariza

Oregon basketball lands 5-star recruit Tajh Ariza, son of longtime NBA player Trevor Ariza

0
Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel (4 TDs) shines in first start

Pittsburgh QB Mason Heintschel (4 TDs) shines in first start

October 4, 2025
Previewing The 2025-26 Free Agent Class: Catcher

Previewing The 2025-26 Free Agent Class: Catcher

October 4, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers OF Jackson Chourio exits Game 1 injured

Milwaukee Brewers OF Jackson Chourio exits Game 1 injured

October 4, 2025
What are the tactical options for the Singapore Grand Prix?

What are the tactical options for the Singapore Grand Prix?

October 4, 2025
As Chelsea nab thrilling statement win, Liverpool continue downward spiral

As Chelsea nab thrilling statement win, Liverpool continue downward spiral

October 4, 2025
Baylor Tight End Michael Trigg Dominates Kansas State with Huge Performance

Baylor Tight End Michael Trigg Dominates Kansas State with Huge Performance

October 4, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest
Got Action

Stay updated with the latest sports news, highlights, and expert analysis at Got Action. From football to basketball, we cover all your favorite sports. Get your daily dose of action now!

CATEGORIES

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Football
  • Formula 1
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NCAA Baseball
  • NCAA Basketball
  • NCAA Football
  • NCAA Sport
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • Uncategorized

SITEMAP

  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Submit Press Release
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Submit Press Release

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.