On Tuesday, former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald filed a $130 million lawsuit against the university for wrongful termination. The suit claims that Fitzgerald was wrongfully terminated from his position as head coach of the Wildcats in January 2021.
Fitzgerald had been the head coach of Northwestern since 2006, and during his tenure he led the Wildcats to nine bowl games and two Big Ten championships. He was widely respected as one of the top coaches in college football, and his teams were consistently ranked in the top 25.
The lawsuit alleges that Northwestern wrongfully terminated Fitzgerald without cause or justification. It also claims that the university failed to provide him with due process before his dismissal. The suit states that Fitzgerald was given no notice of his termination, and that he was not given an opportunity to respond to any allegations or defend himself against any charges.
Fitzgerald’s attorney, Michael Avenatti, said in a statement that “Northwestern’s decision to terminate Pat Fitzgerald without cause or justification is a gross violation of his rights and a clear example of the university’s disregard for its employees.” He went on to say that “Pat Fitzgerald is an exemplary coach and leader who deserves to be treated fairly and with respect.”
The lawsuit seeks $130 million in damages, including lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. It also seeks an injunction requiring Northwestern to reinstate Fitzgerald as head coach.
This case is sure to be closely watched by college football fans across the country. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in court and what kind of precedent it sets for future cases involving wrongful termination.
