Former Northwestern Assistant, NCAA head coach pens strong letter of support for Fitz
Gregg Brandon helped recruit Pat Fitzgerald to Northwestern, has also been an FBS head coach and Power 5 offensive coordinator
In the wake of Northwestern’s rash decision earlier this week to fire longtime head coach and former star linebacker Pat Fitzgerald on the heels of an hazing investigation that initially resulted in a two-week suspension for Fitzgerald, a host of former players and staffers have spoken out about Fitz’s ouster – on both sides of the debate.
Perhaps none has the unique perspective of Gregg Brandon, a former college coach whose career spanned parts of five decades in the sport.
In a letter to FootballScoop, Brandon – whose career included work as an understudy to Urban Meyer, eventual head coach at Bowling Green and as a Power-5 offensive coordinator – revealed his own personal history with Fitzgerald.
From 1992 through 1998, Brandon was an assistant coach at Northwestern University, and he had helped the Wildcats in their recruitment of Fitzgerald, the blue-collar kid from the Chicago suburb of Midlothian.
The Northwestern program made its historic run to the 1996 Rose Bowl when both Brandon was on staff as an offensive assistant and Fitzgerald was a star linebacker.
Following the 2021 season, after seven years as head coach at Colorado Mines, Brandon chose to retire. As a head coach at Bowling Green and Colorado Mines Brandon's teams combined to go 103-45.
Brandon reflected on his own path, his recruitment of Fitzgerald – who first arrived at Northwestern as receiver, Brandon’s position, before Fitzgerald transitioned into arguably the program’s most decorated defensive player in school history – and Brandon’s belief that Fitzgerald will coach again.
His letter, in its entirety, is included below:
As a longtime college football coach, 13 years as a head coach, I've experienced many ups and downs in the profession. Just when I thought I had seen it all, NU fires Pat Fitzgerald. I recruited Fitz in 1992 and sold him on a dream of taking the Purple to Pasadena. Four years later, with the help of some great players and coaches, the dream became a reality. Now after a great career as a player and coach, NU has shown Fitz the door.
If we read the accounts, Fitz was fired for hazing allegations in the program. The investigation resulted in a two-week suspension. I know for a fact that Fitz would never condone hazing. Believe it or not, horseplay does occur in a football locker room. How did a two-week suspension become a firing? Let's make one thing perfectly clear folks - he was fired by a spineless administration who succumbed to the social media mob!
I thought NU was a renowned journalism school. Since when did they become the National Enquirer? What happened to research and fact-based reporting? Better yet, let's print a bunch of BS and take a good man down.
Obviously, I feel terrible for Fitz and his family, along with his players and coaches. The handling of the situation was a complete travesty. College coaching is a great profession but sadly a crappy business.
I firmly believe Fitz will coach again. His assistants will pursue and secure new jobs. To all the student-athletes at NU, I encourage you to stay and stick it out! Get that NU degree. Above all, have fun this season playing the game you love. Play for yourself and your teammates.
Gregg Brandon
Source: Footballscoop
