Northwestern football coach lawsuit overview:
- Who: Former Northwestern University football head coach Pat Fitzgerald has filed a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the school and its president Michael Schill.
- Why: Fitzgerald claims he was wrongfully terminated from his position in the wake of a six-month investigation that found hazing occurred within the football program during his time as head coach.
- Where: Northwestern is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois.
Former Northwestern University head football coach Pat Fitzgerald has filed a lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully terminated from the position and is seeking at least $130 million in damages.
Fitzgerald, who was fired in July after 17 years as the head coach of Northwestern football, argues he was let go from his position for “no reason whatsoever,” and that the decision constituted a breach of contract, according to Law360.
Pat Fitzgerald has reportedly named Northwestern and its president, Michael Schill, as defendants in the lawsuit.
The now-former coach was reportedly placed on a two-week, unpaid suspension in the days before his firing, which was in response to a six-month investigation that revealed hazing had occurred within the Northwestern football program.
While the investigation revealed hazing had occurred, investigators determined that coaches for the Northwestern football team were most likely not aware of it, however, Law360 reports.
Fitzgerald argues his reputation was damaged after he was fired in wake of hazing investigation
Fitzgerald argues his firing harmed his reputation and injured him financially — including from lost earnings — and that it also came after the university allegedly reached an oral agreement with him that he would not face discipline beyond the suspension, according to ESPN.
“The fact that he was terminated based on no rational reasons or facts whatsoever, the fact that they’ve gone out and destroyed his reputation as one of the best football coaches in America, based on no legitimate reason or evidence, is disgraceful,” said attorney Dan Webb, as reported by ESPN.
Northwestern, in response to the claims, reportedly said multiple current or former players from the football team have admitted to investigators that hazing occurred while Fitzgerald was the team’s head coach.
The university also referred to lawsuits that have been filed against Northwestern over claims they experienced or witnessed hazing while members of the football team during Fitzgerald’s reign as head coach, according to ESPN.
Last month, Michigan State University fired its now-former head football coach, Mel Tucker, after the school conducted an investigation and heard his response to sexual misconduct allegations involving himself and a rape survivor who was hired to speak to the football team.
Do you believe Northwestern wrongfully terminated Pat Fitzgerald from his position of head football coach? Let us know in the comments.
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