Northwestern fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald on Monday, several media outlets reported, amid continued fallout of a controversy surrounding alleged hazing within the program.
The decision comes three days after Fitzgerald received a two-week suspension without pay following an independent investigation that found hazing allegations were “largely supported by evidence.”
A player then came forward to the student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, and revealed that some of the hazing included coerced sexual acts. Fitzgerald is also accused of presiding over a culture of racism.
University president Michael Schill wrote a letter to the Northwestern community Saturday night admitting that the school “may have erred” in the severity of its discipline.
Northwestern had not yet confirmed the reports or announced an interim coach.
–Field Level Media