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Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: The Six on July 11, 2023, 08:57:29 AM

Title: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 11, 2023, 08:57:29 AM
Northwestern fires football coach Pat Fitzgerald amid hazing scandal
In explaining his decision to fire football coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern president said the hazing was "widespread and clearly not a secret within the program."

Quote
Scooby Axson
Nicole Poell
USA TODAY

Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired on Monday after several former players revealed details of hazing within the football program, and days after an independent investigation confirmed hazing activities "widespread among football players." University president Michael Schill announced Fitzgerald's firing in a statement to the Northwestern community posted online.

While Schill said the details of the investigation would remain confidential, he revealed some new information as he explained his decision to fire Fitzgerald:

He said that 11 current or former players told investigators hazing had been ongoing, and he mentioned a new report from Monday, where more former players confirmed hazing "was systemic dating back many years."

Read more if you wish: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2023/07/10/pat-fitzgerald-fired-northwestern-football-hazing-scandal/70394723007/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/bigten/2023/07/10/pat-fitzgerald-fired-northwestern-football-hazing-scandal/70394723007/)
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: CCTAU on July 11, 2023, 10:21:46 AM
One report includes allegations of racism also.

It would be nice to report some of these so called allegations. Is it really racism.
I never thought Harlequin was racist. But they accused him anyway. I mean he offered up his large round girls to the guys, right?

Is this just more Chicago wokeness?




Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Kaos on July 11, 2023, 10:29:53 AM
Hazing? 

What's the big deal?  Hazing makes you stronger.  I've been hazed. I've hazed. It's just part of the ritual of growing up. Yeah, it isn't fun when it's happening to you, but it's not supposed to be fun. You endure it because you want to be a part of whatever organization or group is initiating you. And then you initiate others.   

The fact that twinkies can't handle it because of 'feelings' is the bigger issue. 
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 11:25:09 AM
Hazing? 

What's the big deal?  Hazing makes you stronger.  I've been hazed. I've hazed. It's just part of the ritual of growing up. Yeah, it isn't fun when it's happening to you, but it's not supposed to be fun. You endure it because you want to be a part of whatever organization or group is initiating you. And then you initiate others.   

The fact that twinkies can't handle it because of 'feelings' is the bigger issue.

Yeah....but racism.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Kaos on July 11, 2023, 11:41:21 AM
Yeah....but racism.

Don't get me started.  I grew up watching Match Game, The Jeffersons, Richard Pryor....

Grow a little skin, bitches.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 11, 2023, 01:37:56 PM
I find this interesting. They met with Fitzgerald. Discussed things. Disclosed things. Suspended him w/o for two weeks (I know, cry me a river, guy ain't hurting, but still...). Then, when the media fires stoke, THEN they decided to fire him?

Either they learned something really damaging OR they caved.

I don't think it's just the media laying in on them. I think someone(s) with serious money behind that new football facility pulled the cord (or threatened to) and that's why the Pres. blew up his flailing football program six weeks before the season starts.

Methinks it's always going to be about the money.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 02:00:06 PM
They'll work out something for his buyout, and this will go away.  Whatever they have is just leverage. Probably looking for anything they can to have cause for firing a coach who was 1-11 in 2022.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 11, 2023, 02:16:08 PM
They'll work out something for his buyout, and this will go away.  Whatever they have is just leverage. Probably looking for anything they can to have cause for firing a coach who was 1-11 in 2022.

They didn't fire him for going 1-11 last year. Otherwise, they do that in December. They had to believe they had enough of whatever to can him now without paying the full buyout, or any of it.

I am not confirming or refuting the claims. I just find it interesting that not once in 17 years there wasn't a peep about this until a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 02:24:44 PM
They didn't fire him for going 1-11 last year. Otherwise, they do that in December. They had to believe they had enough of whatever to can him now without paying the full buyout, or any of it.

I am not confirming or refuting the claims. I just find it interesting that not once in 17 years there wasn't a peep about this until a few weeks ago.

They didn't fire him after the 1-11 season because his buyout is projected to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million.  When this came up, they suddenly found either a way out, or leverage to negotiate something much less.  If guy went 10-3 last season, this never comes to light.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 02:27:19 PM
And, oh by the way, NW was 3-9 in 2021.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 11, 2023, 02:44:34 PM
And, oh by the way, NW was 3-9 in 2021.

You the one that said 1-11. I don't follow the Mildcats. But you do make a good point. Heck of a gamble though on the admin part. Better have a good case.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: GH2001 on July 11, 2023, 02:48:46 PM
You the one that said 1-11. I don't follow the Mildcats. But you do make a good point. Heck of a gamble though on the admin part. Better have a good case.

He has lawyered up with Dan Webb. This ought to be fun. I think NW messed up a bit here with hardly any due process for firing with cause. I think they willingly caved to said "cause". No new info has arisen the last 4 days that wasn't already known when he was suspended.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: AUJarhead on July 11, 2023, 03:27:16 PM
He probably brought in an intern and cheated on his wife with her.  And I think she's now at San Jose State or something like that.  Jumbo knows her on the instas.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 04:07:15 PM
He probably brought in an intern and cheated on his wife with her.  And I think she's now at San Jose State or something like that.  Jumbo knows her on the instas.

Pics of said intern, or it didn't happen.  Scantily clad pics.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: GH2001 on July 11, 2023, 04:45:48 PM
Pics of said intern, or it didn't happen.  Scantily clad pics.

Seriously....this place has rules....and a code.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 11, 2023, 04:49:24 PM
Seriously....this place has rules....and a code.

Exactly.  And the rule is, "Pics or it didn't happen". 
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snakebite on July 11, 2023, 05:36:51 PM
Exactly.  And the rule is, "Pics or it didn't happen".

Stay Clesi, San Jose.

(https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZWozYjg3cDVyeTV2ejVpN3ltbG1rMG9iZG40ZXliOXc3ZW9xZ3N0ZCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/ZJhFJc54MLamY/source.gif)
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: WiregrassTiger on July 11, 2023, 07:05:16 PM
You the one that said 1-11. I don't follow the Mildcats. But you do make a good point. Heck of a gamble though on the admin part. Better have a good case.
Do you expect Snags to remember something that he said over 10 minutes ago?

All kidding aside, please try to be more subtle about his senility. I know it’s not easy having to put up with the stupidity but he was a founding member of the x. We should act appreciative.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 12, 2023, 09:02:17 AM
Do you expect Snags to remember something that he said over 10 minutes ago?

All kidding aside, please try to be more subtle about his senility. I know it’s not easy having to put up with the stupidity but he was a founding member of the x. We should act appreciative.

I mean as a nation we are actively participating in elder abuse with our POTUS elections and upcoming choices. Snags is no different. What's good for the goose is a hand in the bush or something.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: GH2001 on July 12, 2023, 11:52:51 AM
What's good for the goose is a hand in the bush or something.

Don't mess with Texas...or ummm, Strategery, or something....

(https://i.imgflip.com/66doys.jpg)

Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Snaggletiger on July 12, 2023, 12:06:07 PM
You can lead a horse to water, but you can kill two birds with one waffle.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: WiregrassTiger on July 12, 2023, 12:18:54 PM
You can get a good look at a T bone by sticking your head up a butcher’s ass but wouldn’t you rather take his word for it?
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 12, 2023, 12:52:29 PM
You can get a good look at a T bone by sticking your head up a butcher’s ass but wouldn’t you rather take his word for it?

New guy is over to the side puking his guts out! All because you wanted to save a few bucks on brakes.
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: The Six on July 12, 2023, 12:59:40 PM
Here's a timeline of things we know as of today. From ESPN (link below the content)

On Nov. 30, a Northwestern football player emailed Kristina Minor, the school's senior associate athletic director for compliance, with the subject line: "NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL HAZING." In the email, obtained by ESPN, the player reported an "extremely disturbing and vile hazing situation" within the program. The player, who has since left the school, outlined the practice of "running," where a group of older players restrain a younger player -- often a freshman who had made an on-field mistake -- and engage in sexualized behavior.

Northwestern responded by launching an investigation and hiring attorney Maggie Hickey and the ArentFox Schiff firm to oversee the process. The investigation, which ESPN first reported in January, interviewed former and current players, coaches and staff. On Friday, Northwestern announced the investigation had found evidence largely supporting the whistleblower's claims, but they didn't find evidence that Fitzgerald or other coaches knew about the hazing activities. However, investigators concluded coaches "had opportunities ... to discover and report the hazing conduct." The school only released an executive summary of the findings, which included few details and no names other than Fitzgerald's. The coach received a two-week, unpaid suspension as part of several actions from the school, which included a football locker room monitor who wouldn't report to Fitzgerald or the staff.

The story shifted Saturday when the whistleblower detailed his hazing allegations to The Daily Northwestern, the student newspaper. Other former players corroborated all or part of the whistleblower's claims. Current players released a statement, signed by the team, strongly supporting Fitzgerald. The current players said the allegations were "exaggerated and twisted" and that Fitzgerald "was not involved in any of the alleged incidents in any way, shape or form."

But late Saturday night, Schill released a letter stating that he needed to reconsider Fitzgerald's penalty. Schill wrote that he had initially focused "too much on what the report concluded [Fitzgerald] didn't know and not enough on what he should have known."

After nearly two days of silence from Northwestern and additional media reports, Schill called Fitzgerald on Monday and fired him. Fitzgerald held a brief staff meeting and later addressed players in an emotional team meeting on campus. Several players expressed their outrage that neither Schill nor Gragg were present for the meeting.

Schill announced the firing in another letter, writing that upon reflection, Northwestern's football culture had been "broken" in some ways, and that Fitzgerald "is ultimately responsible for the culture of his team."

In a statement Monday night, Fitzgerald wrote he and the school had mutually agreed on his initial suspension, and he was surprised when Schill "unilaterally revoked our agreement without any prior notification and subsequently terminated my employment."

His 17-year tenure as Northwestern's coach was over.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/37995129/next-pat-fitzgerald-northwestern-football-hazing-fired (https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/37995129/next-pat-fitzgerald-northwestern-football-hazing-fired)
Title: Re: Northwestern Pulls the Pin (Fitzgerald Out)
Post by: Buzz Killington on July 13, 2023, 08:30:21 AM
You can get a good look at a T bone by sticking your head up a butcher’s ass but wouldn’t you rather take his word for it?
No, it's gotta be your bull