Pat Fitzgerald announced some changes to Northwestern’s coaching staff on Tuesday. Three different assistants are no longer employed by the program.

The Wildcats let go of DC Jim O’Neill, DL coach Marty Long, and WR coach Dennis Springer. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported the news.

This move comes after a 2022 campaign where Northwestern’s only win came against Nebraska in the season opener in Dublin, Ireland.

Here is Fitzgerald’s statement on the changes:

“Our entire football family is grateful for what these three men brought to our program on and off the field. They recruited and developed student-athletes who will be prepared for life and make our University community proud for years to come. These difficult decisions were made with the intention of putting our team in the best position for success.”

O’Neill was one of the youngest-tenured coaches on staff at Northwestern, joining the program in 2021 after spending three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. Long had been with team for twelve seasons, while Springer first joined Northwestern in 2011.

This is the second straight season that the Wildcats have missed a bowl game. Northwestern’s last bowl game was against Auburn in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. The Wildcats ended up beating the Tigers and finished 7-2.

We’ll let you know if any more coaching changes happen in Evanston.