Hall of Famer Considered for Penn State or Big Ten Football Roles

Pat Fitzgerald, former head coach at Northwestern, is a strong candidate for coaching roles at Penn State or another Big Ten school. With an impressive record of 110 wins against 101 losses over 17 seasons, he has demonstrated his capability in collegiate football. Fitzgerald, however, was dismissed from his position in 2023 following hazing allegations within the program, which led to a lawsuit for wrongful termination that he successfully settled.

Achievements at Northwestern

Fitzgerald’s tenure at Northwestern included notable accomplishments:

• Led the team to Big Ten West titles in 2018 and 2020.
• Awarded Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2018.
• Received the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 2020.

His accolades extend beyond coaching. As a player, Fitzgerald was a standout linebacker for the Northwestern Wildcats and earned the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Awards on two occasions. He was recognized as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996 and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Future Prospects

Experts suggest that Fitzgerald’s experience and 25 years of coaching connections position him well for a return to coaching. ESPN’s Dan Wetzel commented on the potential for schools like Wisconsin to pursue Fitzgerald, emphasizing his reputation as a great football coach. Wetzel stated, “If I’m Wisconsin, I’m crawling to his place,” indicating Fitzgerald’s readiness to take on a new challenge.

Rece Davis, another host from ESPN College GameDay, echoed Wetzel’s sentiments, noting Fitzgerald’s eagerness to return to coaching. The support and resources available at Penn State may provide Fitzgerald with a more robust platform to succeed compared to his previous position at Northwestern.

Why Penn State?

There are several reasons why Fitzgerald could be an excellent fit for the Nittany Lions:

• More resources than his previous program, increasing the potential for success.
• A proven ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of college football.
• A strong network for recruiting and building a capable coaching staff.

As the college football landscape continues to change, Rob Fitzgerald’s return could be a key factor for any Big Ten team looking to enhance its competitive edge. With his extensive background and winning mentality, his next role could significantly impact the success of a program like Penn State.