Northwestern Football Coach Faces Suspension Amid Hazing Investigation

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The Northwestern Wildcats are set to kick off their 2023 football season on September 3rd against Rutgers. However, there are doubts about whether head coach Pat Fitzgerald will be on the sideline for the opener. Disturbing details emerged recently regarding hazing incidents within the team, leading to an external investigation and a two-week suspension without pay for Fitzgerald.

An explosive report by the student newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, featured an account from a former player. The player described a practice known as “running” where freshman players were punished by being restrained in a dark locker room while upperclassmen wearing masks engaged in inappropriate behavior. A second player confirmed these details to the paper.

Northwestern announced Fitzgerald’s suspension on Friday, along with an executive summary of investigator Maggie Hickey’s findings. While the summary did not provide specific details of the hazing, it confirmed the existence of the incidents. The university expressed its commitment to supporting the affected students and ensuring their well-being.

The investigation found no evidence to suggest that the coaching staff was aware of the ongoing hazing conduct. However, it also concluded that there were numerous opportunities for the staff to discover and report the hazing incidents. Fitzgerald, in a statement, expressed his disappointment and emphasized that Northwestern holds its student-athletes to high standards.

The revelation of the hazing incidents has already tarnished Fitzgerald’s reputation, given his involvement with the Positive Coaching Alliance and his previous statements denouncing hazing. The former player, who witnessed the acts, described them as “egregious and vile.” The Daily Northwestern obtained images from whiteboards that allegedly contained a list of players who were targeted for the ritual.

Northwestern has taken several measures to prevent hazing within the football program. These actions include the permanent closure of training camps and the implementation of anti-hazing protocols. The investigation involved interviews with over 50 individuals and a review of extensive email correspondence, which largely supported the whistleblower’s claims.

Fitzgerald, a former star linebacker at Northwestern, became head coach in 2006 at the age of 31. He received a contract extension last year after leading the team to the Big Ten championship game. With a career record of 110-101, Fitzgerald is the winningest coach in the history of Northwestern football.

The report in The Daily Northwestern has sparked calls for Fitzgerald’s removal from his position. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the affected students and addressing the issue of hazing within the football program. Northwestern University is working to ensure that student-athletes are protected and provided with a safe and inclusive environment.