Pat Fitzgerald, former Northwestern’s Football Head Coach, was fired from his job after hazing concerns. He has now hired an attorney for $2,000 an hour, and College Football fans know exactly what he’s up to. The coach was fired Monday after former players spoke out about the hazing practices the coach forced them into. University president Michael Schill released a statement online to the Northwestern community where he condemned Fitzgerald’s actions and went more into detail about what exactly took place.
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At first, Fitzgerald was suspended for two weeks without pay. Former Illinois inspector general Maggie Hickey led an independent investigation into the matter, she found that the hazing claims were backed by evidence. Fitzgerald has countered the claims, saying he was surprised that such allegations came to light and that he had no knowledge of any such thing. The investigation began last December after complaints came out about hazing at Camp Kenosha, Wisconsin where the university holds its preseason program.
Pat Fitzgerald Hires an Attorney to Protect His Money
Given Pat Fitzgerald’s storied record at Northwestern, he was offered a big contract by the school. In 2021, he signed a massive extension with the team, worth $57 million over 10 years.
According to reports, Fitzgerald still has $42 million left on that deal. In the midst of this legal battle, things could get ugly as Northwestern is most likely going to look to get out of the situation without paying Fitzgerald the rest of his contract. They can claim that he was fired with probable cause and do this.
However, Fitzgerald is looking to fight back, and that’s why he’s hired an attorney who charges $2,000 per hour. That’s a massive amount of money, and college fans know what it’s all about. College football fans took to Twitter to express their views.
If Pat Fitzgerald indeed hired Dan Webb, he might end up with his full contract and quite a bit more in terms of people fired.
— Brian Baranowski (@BBaranowski) July 11, 2023
I have no idea what Dan Webb of Winston & Strawn is thinking here. The firm’s sports law group, led by Jeffrey Kessler, has a stellar reputation for standing up for college athlete rights. Representing Fitzgerald is not standing up for college athlete rights. It’s the antithesis. https://t.co/nQQuOsjxvD
— Marc Edelman (@MarcEdelman) July 11, 2023
I now have my new team to cheer on this season.
Give ’em Hell Fitz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan Webb is tenacious and will go for the jugular. #FitzNation https://t.co/u4MhiDd3pg— PapiCatMan (@PapiCatMan1) July 11, 2023
Pat Fitzgerald hired a law firm that charges $2,000 an hour after getting fired from Northwestern.
Why? Because he has $42 MILLION left on his contract — and Northwestern is probably trying to avoid payment by firing him “with cause.”
This might get ugly. https://t.co/gUrYBtkImS
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 11, 2023
Michael Schill Revealed Disturbing Details of Pat Fitzgerald’s Regimen
University president Michael Schill had some shocking details about the situation. In his online message, he writes, “During the investigation, eleven current or former football student-athletes acknowledged that hazing has been ongoing within the football program.”
“In new media reporting today, still more former Northwestern football student-athletes confirmed that hazing was systemic dating back many years. This has never been about one former student-athlete and his motives; this is much bigger than that.”
“The hazing included forced participation, nudity and s*xualized acts of a degrading nature, in clear violation of Northwestern policies and values. I am grateful that — to my knowledge — no student suffered physical injury as a result of these behaviors.”
