"Pat Fitzgerald has signed a five-year contract to become the next head football coach at Michigan State, sources told ESPN on Monday. Fitzgerald will replace Jonathan Smith, who was fired Sunday following a victory against Maryland to cap a disappointing 4-8 season. The 50-year-old Fitzgerald, who will be introduced by the Spartans on Tuesday, reached a settlement with Northwestern in August, two years after he sued the university amid a team hazing scandal that led to his firing following an investigation."
"Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing and sued for $130 million. He alleged the school illegally terminated his employment and damaged his reputation, among other things. His case was set to go to trial this month. Fitzgerald was an All-America linebacker for the Wildcats and starred on the 1995 team that won the Big Ten and played in the Rose Bowl. He was 110-101 in 17 seasons as Northwestern's head coach."
Pat Fitzgerald signed a five-year contract to become Michigan State's head football coach and will replace Jonathan Smith after a 4-8 season. Fitzgerald reached a settlement with Northwestern following his lawsuit tied to a team hazing scandal; details of the settlement were not made public. Former Northwestern players filed lawsuits alleging sexual abuse and racial discrimination. Fitzgerald denied wrongdoing, sued for $130 million, and alleged illegal termination and reputational damage. Fitzgerald was 110-101 in 17 seasons at Northwestern, won Big Ten West titles in 2018 and 2020, but Northwestern was 4-20 over his final two seasons.
Read at ESPN.com
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