Northwestern announced on Friday that head football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suspended for the next two weeks following an investigation regarding hazing within the football program.
Along with the suspension for Fitzgerald, the school is also implementing several other measures to curb hazing within the program, including no more off-campus practices (the team has had preseason practices in Kenosha, Wis. in recent years) and a locker room monitor who does not report directly to Fitzgerald or any other member of his staff.
An investigation of the football program began back in January when a tip from an anonymous whistleblower supported the hazing allegations. The summary of the investigation found that the hazing incidents took place in the team’s locker room and possibly started at the off-campus preseason practices, but there was no confirmation that Fitzgerald or the coaching staff knew of it.
Fitzgerald will not be paid during the two-week suspension.
It is also worth pointing out that this suspension is more symbolic than anything meaningful as it relates to the team’s season. Northwestern is not currently taking part in any offseason activities, and summer practices do not start until August.
This is mostly a quiet time for college football programs, so other than losing a couple of weeks of pay from his $5.75 million yearly salary (a drop in the bucket for him) it is not really much of a punishment.
The important development would be if it helps stop hazing incidents within the program.
Fitzgerald has coached at Northwestern since the 2006 season and compiled a 110-101 record during that time. Northwestern is coming off a 1-11 season in 2022 and is just 4-20 over the past two seasons.
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