Former Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing his former employer and alma mater for $130 million. Fitzgerald, who was fired in July after a hazing scandal within the Northwestern program came to light filed the lawsuit on Thursday alongside his attorney Dan Webb.
The full lawsuit can be read here.
The lawsuit claims that Northwestern had breached Fitzgerald’s contract with the university as well as an additional “oral contract” that the two sides agreed to during the first day of the scandal.
On Thursday, Fitzgerald’s attorney Dan Webb held a news conference to discuss the lawsuit.
In the press conference, Webb accuses the university and its president, Michael Schill of firing Fitzgerald for cause with “no legitimate reason or evidence.” He also accuses both parties of destroying Fitzgerald’s reputation in the process.
On top of firing Fitzgerald without cause, Webb accuses the university of lying to Fitzgerald after a verbal agreement was made between the two sides that the long-time Wildcats head coach would not be further disciplined following his suspension. After originally being suspended on July 6, Fitzgerald was fired four days later on July 10.
Of the $130 million that Fitzgerald and his counsel are seeking, $68 million would be the remaining salary on his contract at the time of the firing. Additionally, they are suing for an additional $62 million due to Fitzgerald’s “lost ability to obtain similar employment”. There would be the possibility of additional restitution as well as they claim the firing was an “intentional inflection of emotional distress and defamation.”
To learn more about Fitzgerald’s lawsuit against Northwestern, we implore you to read USA TODAY’s Tom Schad’s report on the case.
Following the firing of Fitzgerald, Northwestern named first-year defensive coordinator David Braun as the interim head coach of the Wildcats football program. The Wildcats enter the first weekend of October with a 2-3 record.