Northwestern Settles Hazing Lawsuit with Former Football Coach

Northwestern University reached a settlement with former longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald two years after he sued the prestigious school amid a team hazing scandal, attorneys and the school announced.

“Though I maintain Northwestern had no legal basis to terminate my employment for cause under the terms of my Employment Agreement, in the interest of resolving this matter and, in particular, to relieve my family from the stress of ongoing litigation, Northwestern and I have agreed to a settlement,” Fitzgerald said in a statement through his attorneys.

Details of the settlement weren’t made public.

The private university in the Chicago suburb of Evanston has been reeling from the scandal that rocked the athletic department. Former football players filed the first lawsuits in 2023, alleging sexual abuse and racial discrimination on the team.

Fitzgerald was initially suspended then later fired after an investigation. The school concluded that he had a responsibility to know that hazing was occurring and should have stopped it.

Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and sued for $130 million. He alleged the school illegally terminated his employment and damaged his reputation, among other things. His case was set to go to trial in November.

Last year, a judge consolidated his complaint and the student lawsuits for the discovery process. Dozens of students provided testimony that was used for both cases. The school settled lawsuits brought by former football players earlier this year.

Fitzgerald said that the “rush to judgement” following the lawsuits caused his family stress, embarrassment and reputational harm.

Northwestern echoed the same sentiment.

“The evidence uncovered during extensive discovery did not establish that any player reported hazing to Coach Fitzgerald or that Coach Fitzgerald condoned or directed any hazing,” the university said in a statement.