Northwestern assistant football coaches wore T-shirts in support of fired coach Pat Fitzgerald amid the athletic department’s ongoing hazing scandal that has already led to a dozen lawsuits against the school.
The t-shirts were emblazoned with the words “Cats” against “the world” and featured Fitzgerald’s uniform number from his playing days at Northwestern: 51.
Wildcats athletic director Derrick Gragg criticized the coaches for the t-shirts, calling them “inappropriate, offensive and tone-deaf” given the hazing and abuse scandal that swept the program and other teams.
“Let me be crystal clear,” he said in a statement. “Hazing has no place at Northwestern, and we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to address hazing-related issues, including thoroughly investigating incidents or allegations of hazing or misconduct.”
Gragg said he and the university were unaware that the staffers owned the black shirts. He issued the statement after interim coach David Braun called it a free speech issue and said his focus was on supporting his players and staff rather than whether the shirts were tone-deaf.
Northwest coaches were seen wearing T-shirts in support of fired coach Pat Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald, who was fired after 17 seasons, has maintained he had no knowledge of hazing
Three players expressed support for Fitzgerald and defended the program’s culture on Wednesday after the Wildcats’ first practice open to the media. It was the first time since the hazing allegations surfaced that players from the Northwest were made available to reporters.
“The shirts were really just a reminder to allow us to stick together,” said receiver Bryce Kirtz.
Linebacker Bryce Gallagher echoed that, saying, “Just a reminder to us that we stayed together through this tough time, just leaning on each other.” We know the only people we need are the people in this facility.”
Northwestern is facing more than a dozen multi-sport lawsuits alleging that they have sexually assaulted players by teammates, racial slurs by coaches, and racially motivated assaults. The cases run from 2004 to 2022, and lawyers representing some of the athletes who have already sued say there are more to come.
Fitzgerald, who was fired after 17 seasons, has maintained he had no knowledge of hazing within his program. President Michael Schill and Gragg have largely limited their public comments to press release statements and, other than a handful of interviews, have not answered questions from reporters.
Braun said he was focusing on his players and not their views on the scandal.
Wildcats athletics director Derrick Gragg criticized the coaches for the t-shirts, calling them “inappropriate, offensive and tone-deaf.”
“My purpose and my intent will be based solely on supporting these young men, supporting these personnel, making sure my actions match up with making sure this fall is going to be an incredible experience for them,” Braun said. “It’s certainly not my business to censor someone’s freedom of speech.”
Kirtz, Gallagher and defensive back Rod Heard II spoke favorably of the program and Fitzgerald while declining to comment on specific allegations.
“We were devastated, of course,” Gallagher said. “Nobody ever wants to lose their head coach or have that change. We loved Coach Fitz and were devastated that he is gone, but we have complete faith in Coach Braun. He’s been incredible and done a great job guiding us and really showed us how much he cares.”
Braun was elevated to interim head coach about six months after being hired as defensive coordinator. He has no experience as a university head coach. His job is to help stabilize a program that has taken massive blows to its image.
“The reason I do what I do is to make sure the young men in our program have an incredible student-athlete experience,” Braun said. “I’m doing everything I can to make sure I do. Hazing certainly has no (place).’
Braun said he has been in contact with Fitzgerald, as he has with other players’ parents, since the coaching change. Fitzgerald’s son Jack, a freshman tight end, is still on the team, although he worked as a student coach on Wednesday.
Braun also said he lived in Fitzgerald’s house for two months while house hunting after spending a few nights in a hotel.
“The relationship with Pat is much deeper than anyone I worked for for six months,” he said.
To recruits and parents who are concerned and have specific questions in light of the allegations, Heard said, “The people in this building are amazing. We have always had people of high character.’
The allegations and lawsuits paint a different picture of the football program and athletic department.
“Like we said, we’re not talking about allegations that are out there right now,” Gallagher said. “We are focused on the coming season. But this place is great. Clearly the academics and football playing in the Big Ten is why we chose to come here. And that’s what I would say to recruits: you get the best of both worlds.’