Watch the Pat McAfee show from yesterday where they discussed 10 former players coming out of the shadows with examples of racist behavior. They covered it really well.
Northwestern has fired coach Pat Fitzgerald
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Well actually I said if they have it. Certainly the information should be verified, and I would think ESPN could do that. If not, yes they should find someone to do so. I took your use of “release” to mean to the general public. If that isn’t what you meant, my mistake and apologies.
Unless the Giants' offense tanks this year, Kafka will likely be an NFL HC next year.
Illinicpa14
- Chicago
Love this - and in other situations coming out of sanctions, the head coach gets a long guarantee to have to “build out - it’s not a 1 year fix”
And weak division or not, clearly you can win at NW. they were in the title game a few years ago and ranked #10 to end a season (implies may have made an expanded CFP)
yep. don henley's "dirty laundry" is even more applicable today than it was when the song was released
I get the obvious Kafka connection and maybe he'd love to come to the aid of his alma mater but I wonder if the administration would want to stay away from anyone who was around when all of these issues happened.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
It seems to me that the most important component of the future-of-the-program discussion is the influence of Aon founder Pat Ryan, whom I believe has given nearly $1 billion to Northwestern over the years and has outsize influence over the athletics program. Just skimming the Northwestern SB Nation site comments about the Fitz fiasco the prevailing attitude among fans/alums is that the athletic department is a dysfunctional mess. Fitz was viewed to be coasting and untouchable after that #10 national finish three seasons ago and his 10-year extension, and Ryan apparently supported him.
I agree with others who have noted that NW, given its sporadic success over the past 15 years, and resources, is not an unattractive spot. However, it seems that Ryan might have an outsize say in who gets the job and how long a leash he has. and that his influence might not be in the best long-term interests of the program.
I agree with others who have noted that NW, given its sporadic success over the past 15 years, and resources, is not an unattractive spot. However, it seems that Ryan might have an outsize say in who gets the job and how long a leash he has. and that his influence might not be in the best long-term interests of the program.
"It's interesting when people die, give us dirty laundry."
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
i am NOT defending Fitz, and I know nothing about the racial incidents regarding him , but you can find 1 out of 85 people every year to say Mother Teresa or Gandhi was racist
To be fair the long term results for Northwestern have sucked without him.
Not to nitpick, totally get your point. But Ghandi actually was pretty racist: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/02/7660...-attitudes-on-race-and-sex-are-under-scrutiny
Northwestern commit
These are the last three decommits in college football according to 247.
I’m guessing this is the start of a wave of decommits.
I’m guessing this is the start of a wave of decommits.
Haven't seen any transfers yet but this freshman class is getting scant. Might be under 10 recruits in a week.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Tears of sadness OR joy ???..........................You make the call.............................
Color me JOYOUS..........I really really am.................................
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Overall, I think this is all just very sad and can't say I'm taking any joy out of this. I've never really considered Northwestern as an actual rival. Even for academic competitions when I was in college, they'd talk smack beforehand and then we'd just pummel them. You need both that holier than thou air of superiority along with the success to really get people to hate you. Like say a Michigan, a USC, or for some a Notre Dame. I mean how many Illini fans actually have any hatred towards Northwestern?
For the students who enrolled or accepted offers this year, those I feel really bad for as they likely chose Northwestern in large part due to the academics. So for them to find a new school from the one they were probably really looking forward to get a degree from, it's sad. Hopefully they find what they're looking for.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
its indeed a sad story overall, but dont shed too many tears .
Players who have recently committed can now decommit and look for similar opportunity at any of 120 other D1 FBS schools.
Players who are already on campus getting ready for fall season can enter the portal now - unlike a few years ago
Players who really choose NW for academics ? half the B1G is just as good in many disciplines and better in most STEM majors
Players who have recently committed can now decommit and look for similar opportunity at any of 120 other D1 FBS schools.
Players who are already on campus getting ready for fall season can enter the portal now - unlike a few years ago
Players who really choose NW for academics ? half the B1G is just as good in many disciplines and better in most STEM majors
Interesting feedback from my NW alum friends and others who live near Evanston
- total denial that any hazing took place
- whistle blower bad apple / crazy / drug user so should not be believed
- fact that hazing / discrimation was not reported immediately when it happened but was reported later means it cannot be true
- do not believe the photos or videos exist
- are convinced anybody who corroborated incidents is part of the conspiracy
-cell phones cameras and the internet have really changed the world. people can no longer say its one persons word against another when there is video evidence
-internet allows instaneous communication of story without having go thru Newspaper etc.
JMO - NW should release redacted internal investigation to public. The longer it stays hidden the more people will believe the worst happened.
- total denial that any hazing took place
- whistle blower bad apple / crazy / drug user so should not be believed
- fact that hazing / discrimation was not reported immediately when it happened but was reported later means it cannot be true
- do not believe the photos or videos exist
- are convinced anybody who corroborated incidents is part of the conspiracy
-cell phones cameras and the internet have really changed the world. people can no longer say its one persons word against another when there is video evidence
-internet allows instaneous communication of story without having go thru Newspaper etc.
JMO - NW should release redacted internal investigation to public. The longer it stays hidden the more people will believe the worst happened.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
whoa........I'm not joyous anything of this kind has happened........I'm joyous that recruits are decommitting from this train wreck before being subjected to the turmoil that is now NU..............One can wish this behavior never happened , but it did and has become public......I hope the actions of the NU athletic FB team never happen's to anyone ever again.......
As far as being disappointed about them not getting a degree form NU , this stink will taint said degree for a long time , IMHO......
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
It's sad for those underclassmen who have lost their HC and likely will lose more coaches. As @Mr. Tibbs notes, however, they can move on easily. It's truly tragic, however, for those who endured the apparent degradation and took the scars of that well into adulthood with them, in silence until now. If the allegations are indeed substantiated then the peace and self-respect the abusers took away from the abused is infuriating.
It seems some transfers might get a little more scrutiny about their participation in the hazing.
I guess I'm thinking that the investigation doesn't match the news reports. So it would actually make matters worse.
The question then will be why didn't the issues that came out in the news get revealed in the investigation.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I wonder what wins out to attract a new coach - money/BIG prestige versus complete train wreck likely to remain uncompetitive for a long time?
Some speculation about Urban Meyer but even if he had interest how would NW justify hiring a ‘tainted’ coach? Aren’t they obligated to hire someone above reproach?
Likely that they stick with the interim until things fade?
Some speculation about Urban Meyer but even if he had interest how would NW justify hiring a ‘tainted’ coach? Aren’t they obligated to hire someone above reproach?
Likely that they stick with the interim until things fade?
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
Honest truth David Shaw's name will be (and probably should be) mentioned as candidate.
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