The Northwestern Wildcats football program finds itself in another mess following reports that former head coach Pat Fitzgerald is striking back with a $130 million lawsuit against the school.
The 48-year-old football coach was initially suspended and then terminated after four days in connection with a controversial hazing investigation. An oral contract was proposed by Northwestern so that Fitzgerald would not face any additional consequences, Chris Vannini of The Athletic reported.
Fitzgerald was initially suspended, then fired four days later.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) October 5, 2023
Complaint: "Northwestern promised Fitzgerald that if he agreed to Northwestern’s proposed oral contract, it would put the entire matter to bed, and Fitzgerald would not face any additional consequences…"
However, the fact remains that the whole hazing issue tarnished the credibility and reputation of Fitzgerald, a reason why the wrongful termination lawsuit was filed, ESPN reported.
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The youngest football coach to call the shot in the Big Ten Conference was unlawfully fired on July 10, even though there was no sufficient evidence to prove that he, other coaches, and staff had any knowledge of the hazing incidents.
Fitzgerald reputation destroyed
The attorney of Pat Fitzgerald, Dan Webb, stated in a press conference that the dismissal destroyed the reputation of Fitzgerald after the coach was fired with no legitimate reason or evidence, USA Today reported.
"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," Webb stated.
Attorneys for some of the players involved in the hazing issue are reportedly set to hold their own press conference on Thursday, October 5, to rebuke Webb's remarks.
"This isn't just horseplay," Margaret Battersby Black, one of the attorneys representing former Wildcats players, stated. "This is naked drills. Showers where naked men were rubbing soap on their bodies and forcing people to rub against them. Forceful dry-humping. This spanned decades."
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