Pat Fitzgerald will at all times be remembered for his time at Northwestern than with the Dallas Cowboys. However earlier than he launched into a profession in teaching, he was a participant.
He was a celebrated linebacker for Northwestern and achieved nice success with the group. Having performed for them from 1993 to 1996, his ultimate two years introduced him unparalleled success. He received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 1995 and 1996. On account of his performances in these years, he was additionally chosen as a Consensus All-American and Huge Ten Defensive participant of the 12 months in consecutive seasons. He additionally took the Jack Lambert Trophy in 1996.
His performances as a school soccer participant was not sufficient for him to get drafted into the NFL. Nonetheless, the Dallas Cowboys did signal him as a free agent. He took the chance and performed in two pre-season video games for the NFL franchise however was let go earlier than the common season.
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That may show to be the tip of his professional soccer profession as he then moved into teaching in faculty soccer.
Pat Fitzgerald’s web value of $20 million comes from his teaching profession
Though a profession in professional soccer didn’t work out, he grew to become a profitable coach over a span of two-and-a-half a long time. He collected a web value of round $20 million. His newest contract at Northwestern was reportedly upwards of $5.5 million.
His teaching profession started in 1998 in Maryland as a graduate assistant earlier than shifting the subsequent 12 months to Colorado. In 2000, he secured his first senior job as a linbackers coach at Idaho. By 2001, he was again at Northwestern turning into the Defensive Backs coach and later the Linebackers coach. He grew to become the pinnacle coach of this system in 2006.
Nonetheless, all of that has now come to an finish. He was fired by Northwestern on account of alleged hazing actions throughout his time as coach. College president Michael Schill mentioned,
“The pinnacle coach is finally answerable for the tradition of his group. The hazing we investigated was widespread and clearly not a secret inside the program, offering Coach Fitzgerald with the chance to be taught what was occurring. Both method, the tradition in Northwestern Soccer, whereas unbelievable in some methods, was damaged in others.”
The investigation mentioned that it “didn’t uncover proof pointing to particular misconduct by any particular person soccer participant or coach” however added that “participation in or data of the hazing actions was widespread throughout soccer gamers.” Pat Fitzgerald denied any data of such actions and was supported by the group in his stance.
However the reasoning his former employers took was that he ought to have often called the pinnacle coach. He leaves because the winningest coach in this system’s historical past.