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Squashing the rumors? It sounds like Pat Fitzgerald will be coaching at Northwestern again in 2021
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Perhaps this year more than any other time in last decade-and-a-half, Northwestern fans have been nervous about Pat Fitzgerald leaving the program for the NFL. But it doesn’t sound like the Wildcats head coach has any plans to leave Evanston anytime soon.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in December that NFL teams have had interest in interviewing Fitzgerald once Northwestern’s season comes to an end. There have also been rumors that, if the Chicago Bears move on from Matt Nagy, Fitzgerald would be a strong candidate for that job, as well.
But following Northwestern’s 35-19 win over Auburn in the Citrus Bowl, it sounds like Fitzgerald is fired up about returning for the 2021 season. And why wouldn’t he be, following a 7-2 season?
“We’re knocking on the door of where we want this program to be, winning B1G championships.” Fitzgerald said, according to Inside NU. “This thing is rolling.”
After the presser, Fitzgerald also said he’s looking forward to seeing everyone for spring practice.
Fitzgerald just completed his 15th season with the Wildcats as a head coach. Northwestern has won two B1G West titles in the past three years and has won four-straight bowl games.
In 15 years as the head coach, the Wildcats are 106-81. They have appeared in 10 bowl games and have been ranked in the Associated Press Poll at the end of the season five times.
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