The Big Ten is loaded with high-profile head coaches. Ryan Day is one of the best offensive minds in college football. Jim Harbaugh is well-renowned in college and NFL circles. Tom Allen, Paul Chryst, Kirk Ferentz, P.J. Fleck, James Franklin, Scott Frost and Greg Schiano all generate headlines on a weekly basis. Even Purdue’s Jeff Brohm is well-known from his days as an XFL sweetheart.
The one who gets the least national attention of them all? He might be the best program builder of the entire bunch.
Meet Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, one of college football’s most respected, yet underrated, head coaches. The 45-year-old took over the program in June 2006 following the sudden death of Randy Walker and has transformed a school known primarily for its academics into one that is now also recognized for its consistently competitive football team.
Fitzgerald didn’t achieve instant success at his alma mater. He went 10-14 in his first two seasons as head coach before posting a 9-4 record in 2008 thanks to his meticulous program building methods, pro-style offense and nuanced defense. Since then, Northwestern has finished under .500 only four times and has competed for division titles on a yearly basis.
NFL teams have taken notice of what Fitzgerald has achieved in the college ranks. His name has been thrown around as a candidate for head coach vacancies for nearly a decade, but he has yet to make the jump.
Could the Jets’ impending opening be the one Fitzgerald bites on?
New York should be interested in at least interviewing Fitzgerald — recent rumors suggest they are — but the feeling might not be mutual. He has earned the right to be picky when it comes to leaving Northwestern for the NFL. Why leave a comfortable situation for a high-risk gig? Fitzgerald also bleeds purple, making him even tougher to pry away.
Are the Jets the opportunity Fitzgerald would jump at? From the outside looking in, there could be some intrigue. New York is on a crash course to land the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, which would likely net it a potential franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. The Jets also have a copious amount of money to spend in free agency this offseason and Joe Douglas’ presence working in their favor.
With all of that being said, it’s still tough to see Fitzgerald choosing to jump into the cut-throat New York market over staying in Evanston. Northwestern’s football program is essentially his baby. He has taken the Wildcats to new heights and has more juice on the recruiting trail than ever before. Is it really worth giving all of that up to take over the lowly Jets?
The answer is probably not.
Fitzgerald would be a good fit in New York. He might not be a media darling, but he knows how to build a team from the ground up. Most importantly, he is a good in-game coach and someone players want to play for. The Jets haven’t had that in a while.
It wouldn’t hurt for New York to reach out and gauge Fitzgerald’s interest. Worst case scenario, he expresses that he’s not eyeing a move to the Big Apple and it’s on to the next candidate.
If he does reciprocate the interest, though, the Jets could have a potential homerun candidate on their hands.