Pat Fitzgerald reveals next step after being fired by Northwestern

The former Northwestern coach is going on the offensive

Pat Fitzgerald is out at Northwestern after the football program relieved the head coach of his duties amid a scandal surrounding alleged hazing on the team, and in the aftermath, Fitzgerald is going on the offensive with a statement about what's next.

"I had the privilege of serving as the Head Football Coach at Northwestern University for the past 17 years," he said. "As a former Wildcat player who played a part in the remarkable transformation of our program, it was a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to lead the team.

"I take great pride in the achievements we accomplished during my tenure, both on and off the field. I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to nurturing our players, not only as athletes, but also exemplary students and members of the community.

"Our players were prepared to make a positive impact in the world, and I am confident in the success we achieved together. The overwhelming majority of players we coached, 99% to be precise, have provided positive feedback that affirms our efforts."

Fitzgerald then affirmed his innocence in the hazing scandal.

"Attorney Maggie Hickey conducted a thorough investigation spanning several months into the allegations that led to my termination. Her investigation reaffirmed what I have always maintained -- that I had no knowledge whatsoever of any form of hazing within the Northwestern Football Program," he said.

"Last Friday, Northwestern and I came to a mutual agreement regarding the appropriate resolution following the thorough investigation conducted by Ms. Hickey. This agreement stipulated a two-week suspension. Therefore, I was surprised when I learned that the president of Northwestern unilaterally revoked our agreement without any prior notification and subsequently terminated my employment."

The coach concluded by announcing what he intends to do going forward.

"Given this unexpected turn of events, I have entrusted my agent, Bryan Harlan, and legal counsel, Dan Webb from Winston & Strawn LLP, to take the necessary steps to protect my rights in accordance with the law."

Fitzgerald is bringing out the big guns with that decision. Webb is a famous attorney who previously served as Special Counsel during the Iran-Contra Affair in the 1980s, prosecuting a former admiral in that case, and notably even got President Reagan to make a statement under oath at that time.

As the U.S. Attorney working on behalf of the Department of Justice in the city of Chicago, Webb also prosecuted 76 corrupt judges, cops, and other lawyers, and more recently was part of the successful prosecution of actor Jussie Smollett, who infamously staged a fake hate crime against himself in Chicago in 2021.

Pat Fitzgerald is ready to fight Northwestern to the very end to protect his reputation.

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