Northwestern Football Players Slam School’s Handling of Pat Fitzgerald Firing

Fitzgerald was dismissed Monday after an investigation into a culture of hazing, including allegations of coerced sexual acts, within the Wildcats’ program.

The decision by Northwestern to fire longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald sent shockwaves throughout the college football world on Monday, with many throughout the sport expressing shock that the school made the decision to part ways with the 17-year veteran so quickly.

That paled in comparison to the response from some current members of the football team, who defended Fitzgerald and bashed the school’s administration for the way it handled Fitzgerald’s firing.

The 48-year-old former Wildcat player—who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008—was fired following an investigation into hazing, including allegations of coerced sexual acts, within the football program. The inquiry came after a whistleblower came forward in November, and found that the allegations were “largely corroborated.”

School administration initially opted on Saturday to suspend Fitzgerald for two weeks, though changed course on Monday. That shift—coupled with the way that players were informed of the decision—rankled some within the program who publicly lambasted school president Michael Schill and athletic director Derrick Gragg. Read some of their responses below.

To zoom in to make a statement like this and leave before allowing time for questions has me baffled… terrible

— Charlie Mangieri (@CharlieMangieri) July 11, 2023

Handled the meeting about just as good as the whole situation, no suprise there. https://t.co/UIJcm0tzP9

— Chris Petrucci (@ChrisPetrucci19) July 11, 2023

Michael Schill and Derrick Gragg didn’t even have the balls to show up in person to tell the team. Too busy on vacation to even care. Embarrassing administration https://t.co/9oPbVnWd46

— Marshall Lang (@marshalllang88) July 11, 2023

pic.twitter.com/1V57hzz4s7

— Evan Smith (@evansmityy) July 10, 2023