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Several NFL teams are reportedly interested, but Pat Fitzgerald has no plan to leave Northwestern

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Pat Fitzgerald pretty well shot down any rumors that he was interested in leaving Northwestern for the NFL following the Wildcats’ Holiday Bowl win on New Year’s Eve.

Fitzgerald’s name has surfaced as a potential candidate to fill one of the eight head coaching vacancies in the NFL, primarily the job with the Green Bay Packers. But after posting a 31-20 win over Utah in the Holiday Bowl, Fitzgerald denied any rumors that he might be leaving Evanston.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Fitzgerald said. “This is home forever.”

According to reports, Fitzgerald has had plenty of opportunity to test the NFL waters. Thursday night, Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune said that, after speaking with Fitzgerald’s agent, “multiple NFL teams have inquired” but the Northwestern head coach won’t interview for the positions.

Fitzgerald has denied having any interest in leaving Evanston multiple times. Now that his agent has chimed in, it provides even more validation to his remarks.

Fitzgerald just wrapped up his 13th season with the Wildcats, winning the West Division and playing in the B1G Championship Game for the first time in program history. Northwestern finished the year 9-5 with the Holiday Bowl victory.

Northwestern has attended nine bowl games and enjoyed three 10-win seasons under Fitzgerald’s leadership. In those 13 seasons, the Wildcats have compiled a 96-70 record.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB