Northwestern, Ex-Football Coach Settle Suit Over Termination

Aug. 21, 2025, 4:52 PM UTC

Northwestern University’s former head football coach has reached a settlement with the school over his claims they wrongfully fired him two years ago amid a ballooning hazing scandal.

Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed, but records show the suit was dismissed Thursday. The settlement averts a trial in Cook County Circuit Court that had been scheduled for November.

Ex-coach Patrick Fitzgerald, in a written statement, said evidence revealed in discovery showed “I had no knowledge of hazing ever occurring in the Northwestern football program, and that I never directed or encouraged hazing in any way.”

A statement from Northwestern echoed ...

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