Northwestern Settles $130M Suit With Ex-Coach Over Hazing Scandal

Northwestern University has settled a $130 million lawsuit with former longtime football coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired amid a hazing scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse and racial discrimination within the athletic department. Fitzgerald maintained that the university had no legal basis to terminate his employment for cause and denied any knowledge or involvement in hazing activities. The university had concluded Fitzgerald bore responsibility for failing to stop hazing, which led to his suspension and eventual firing. After extensive discovery and testimony from dozens of students, neither side found evidence that Fitzgerald condoned or directed hazing. Both Fitzgerald and Northwestern expressed a desire to resolve the matter to alleviate the stress and reputational harm caused by the legal proceedings. Earlier lawsuits brought by former football players had already been settled by the university.