Lower than 5 years in the past, Pat Fitzgerald was thought-about a high 10 coach within the energy convention ranks. He landed forward of names like Jim Harbaugh, Kyle Whittingham and James Franklin within the 2021 CBS Sports activities Coach Rankings.
Now, after a three-year hiatus from the sidelines after his ouster amid hazing allegations from his time at Northwestern, Fitzgerald is again in the marketplace and poised to capitalize on the chaos of the 2025 teaching carousel. Eight Energy 4 jobs have already opened — 9 when you depend Stanford — and extra are coming.
Fitzgerald reached an August settlement in his wrongful termination lawsuit in opposition to Northwestern that has cleared the best way for his return to teaching. All indications are that he’ll have the ability to discover a residence, even perhaps at a Energy 4 college.
In an look on ESPN’s School Gameday podcast this week, Fitzgerald said that “I really feel one hundred pc vindicated” and added that his candidacy for jobs has been well-received inside the trade.
Following his August settlement with Northwestern, Fitzgerald released a statement reiterating that he “had no data of hazing ever occurring within the Northwestern soccer program, and that I by no means directed or inspired hazing in any approach.”
“The frenzy to judgment within the media in July of 2023 and the studies that urged I knew about and directed hazing are false and have induced me, my spouse, and my three sons nice stress, embarrassment, and reputational hurt within the final two years,” Fitzgerald stated within the assertion.
So along with his separation from Northwestern now full, the place would possibly the 50-year previous Fitzgerald land? Given the success he had with the Wildcats in what’s thought to be one of many nation’s most-challenging jobs, there is no doubt he’ll be of curiosity to quite a few packages This is a take a look at one of the best potential matches.
Present openings
Stanford
Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons navigating the terrain at an establishment with lofty educational requirements and nonetheless repeatedly produced high quality soccer groups. He understands how you can navigate the political dynamics at a college the place sports activities aren’t essentially the highest precedence and would presumably be snug at Stanford in that atmosphere. The Cardinal are 3-6 this season whereas working underneath 63-year previous interim coach Frank Reich. Assuming basic supervisor Andrew Luck strikes ahead with making a full-time rent from outdoors this system, Fitzgerald must be on the shortlist of candidates.
UCLA
Profitable huge in soccer at UCLA proper now’s about doing extra with much less and profitable on the margins at a program with some inherent disadvantages. That is what Fitzgerald did at Northwestern, and he is additionally conversant in the Large Ten. The Bruins’ athletic division is cash-strapped, and now there are even questions on whether or not the Rose Bowl will stay this system’s residence stadium. The challenges additionally embody a number of cross-country journey for Large Ten video games. This job would not be simple, nevertheless it could possibly be an amazing reentry level for Fitzgerald to show he is nonetheless obtained it.
Penn State
Touchdown the Penn State job after three seasons away from teaching can be a coup for Fitzgerald, and there are many causes to consider it could possibly be a fruitful marriage. Fitzgerald reached 10 wins on three events between 2012 and 2017 and appeared within the Large Ten Championship Recreation in each 2018 and 2020. If he achieved these outcomes at Northwestern, simply assume what Fitzgerald might obtain whereas backed with the sources of one of many Large Ten’s historic powers. Nonetheless, given the college’s scandal-ridden previous, making this rent would deliver some optical challenges that the Nittany Lions would possibly favor to keep away from.
Arkansas
Arkansas is reportedly making an all-in push for James Franklin. Assuming that fails, Fitzgerald could possibly be an amazing fallback possibility. The doubters are already screaming, “however can he recruit within the SEC?” That is the improper query to ask on this period. Cash does the recruiting, not the coach. If the Razorbacks like Franklin as a result of he is a veteran chief with a profitable monitor file, then Fitzgerald checks lots of the identical containers. No, he does not have SEC expertise, but when the Razorbacks are severe about placing cash into their roster and Fitzgerald hires the best offensive coordinator, this might work.
Potential openings
Maryland
Maryland’s 4-0 begin has given solution to 4 straight losses. If the Terrapins transfer on from Mike Locksley, Fitzgerald can be a wise rent who is aware of the Large Ten and will produce the occasional “pop” 12 months. Similar to at Northwestern, nobody expects Maryland to be a perennial Large Ten title contender, and it is understood there shall be down years. Can you’re employed by way of the struggles to provide an occasional 9-10 win season? Fitzgerald has demonstrated the flexibility, which might make him an attention-grabbing goal at a faculty that hasn’t reached 10 victories since 2003.
Michigan State
Shifting on from Jonathan Smith after simply two seasons may be rash, however the Spartans are on a six-game dropping streak and simply 8-13 throughout his tenure. Fitzgerald can be a snug potential alternative. Given how porous the Spartans have been defensively throughout Smith’s tenure, touchdown a coach along with his monitor file can be a wise shift.
