Former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald has popped up as a possible candidate for Penn State—or maybe even another Big Ten school. With years of experience and a solid track record in the conference, Fitzgerald’s name carries real weight for these high-profile gigs.
He spent 17 seasons leading Northwestern, racking up a 110-101 record. Along the way, he steered the Wildcats to Big Ten West titles in both 2018 and 2020.
Fitzgerald’s knack for developing competitive teams in such a tough conference really stands out. He’s shown he can do more with less, which isn’t something you see every day in college football.
His success in the Big Ten is tough to ignore. He picked up Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2018 and took home the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 2020.
Under his watch, Northwestern often punched above its weight, outshining bigger programs with deeper pockets. That’s not an easy feat in this league.
College football’s changed a lot over the years, but Fitzgerald has managed to keep up. He’s adapted, found ways to win, and stayed competitive even when the landscape shifted around him.
That adaptability? It’s probably one of the main reasons schools are still interested in bringing him on board. Not every coach can roll with the punches like that.
Potential Fit at Penn State
Penn State’s got more resources than Northwestern, and that could really boost Fitzgerald’s coaching game. The Nittany Lions have a big fan base and top-notch facilities—honestly, it’s a different world compared to Evanston.
With those tools, there’s a real chance Fitzgerald could take the program up a notch. Maybe more than a notch, if things go right.
Resource Advantage
At Penn State, Fitzgerald would get access to better facilities and more recruiting muscle. There’s just more financial support to work with, plain and simple.
That kind of backing could help him build something stronger and go toe-to-toe with the Big Ten’s heavyweights. The ceiling’s just higher in Happy Valley.
Strong Support Staff
Any good head coach needs a sharp support staff. Penn State’s in a good spot to help Fitzgerald put together a top-tier team behind the scenes.
He’s got plenty of connections in the college football world, too, which never hurts when you’re looking to fill out a staff.
Interest from Other Big Ten Schools
Penn State isn’t the only one sniffing around. Other Big Ten programs have their eyes on Fitzgerald as well.
ESPN’s Dan Wetzel even floated the idea that Wisconsin should go after him if their head coaching job opens up. That kind of buzz says a lot about Fitzgerald’s reputation.
Wisconsin’s Potential Pursuit
Wisconsin’s got a solid football tradition and would absolutely benefit from Fitzgerald’s know-how. Wetzel went so far as to say the Badgers should “crawl to his place” to land him.
Clearly, folks in the college football world hold Fitzgerald in pretty high regard.
Clearing Legal Hurdles
Fitzgerald’s exit from Northwestern was messy, with hazing allegations leading to his firing in 2023. Since then, though, he’s settled a lawsuit with the school.
Now that the legal stuff’s out of the way, he’s an even more appealing option for programs looking for a proven leader.
Fitzgerald’s Playing Career
Before coaching, Fitzgerald was a standout linebacker at Northwestern. He snagged the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Awards twice and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in both 1995 and 1996.
Those years as a player set the tone for his coaching style and philosophy. There’s just something about a coach who’s been there and done that on the field.
College Football Hall of Fame
All that success as a player earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. That’s not something you see every day.
His experience as a player definitely helps him connect with his athletes and develop their skills in a way that feels authentic.
Leadership Qualities
As someone who excelled at the highest level, Fitzgerald brings real leadership to any coaching job. He’s big on discipline, hard work, and thinking strategically—qualities that tend to rub off on his teams.
Conclusion
Pat Fitzgerald’s history in the Big Ten speaks for itself. He’s shown adaptability and strong leadership, which honestly puts him on the radar for schools like Penn State.
With more resources and a bigger support staff, a place like Penn State could really let Fitzgerald shine. Wisconsin’s interested too, so it’s obvious he’s still a respected name in college football circles.
If you’re curious about how Fitzgerald might fit at Penn State, the full article on PennLive digs in deeper.
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