Northwestern reaches settlement with former football coach Pat Fitzgerald, ending wrongful termination lawsuit

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Northwestern and former football coach Pat Fitzgerald reached a settlement Thursday regarding Fitzgerald’s wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, sources tell CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Fitzgerald, who was seeking $130 million, initially filed the suit in October 2023 after he was fired in July of that year when reports emerged of alleged hazing incidents that occurred in the football program under his watch. 

Fitzgerald was initially suspended by the university for two weeks without pay, but Northwestern revisited the decision and ultimately terminated his employment after two former players came forward with details of the alleged hazing activities in an interview with The Daily Northwestern. Several former players filed lawsuits against Fitzgerald and the university. 

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Chip Patterson

Fitzgerald, who has not made a return to coaching since, spent 17 years at Northwestern’s helm, making him one of the longest-tenured coaches in college football at the time of his firing. He was also an assistant for the Wildcats from 2001-05 and he played linebacker at Northwestern from…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/northwestern-reaches-settlement-with-former-football-coach-pat-fitzgerald-ending-wrongful-termination-lawsuit/

Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2025-08-21 15:57:00

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