How serious were Pat Fitzgerald-to-Michigan talks? The Northwestern coach says they never took place
On the Big Ten coaches' teleconference Tuesday, Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald was asked how seriously he took any conversations with Michigan for its vacant head coaching job this offseason.
His answer?
"I never met with them," Fitzgerald said. "I'm sorry."
Following the firing of Rich Rodriguez in January, early reports indicated Fitzgerald would be a candidate to replace him.
Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Associated Press file photo
That whole thing ended rather quickly, though, as Fitzgerald confirmed his commitment to his alma mater almost immediately. On Tuesday, he reaffirmed that. And while there may have been interest (behind the scenes), Fitzgerald made it clear that there was no direct contact between himself and Michigan.
"I never talked with them," he said again.
A former Northwestern linebacker, Fitzgerald received a 10-year extension at Northwestern this past May that's worth roughly $1.8 million per year.
“With 10 years, I don’t know if we can have a stronger statement of our commitment [to Fitzgerald],” Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said at the time. “I’ve said time and time again that he is so important to Northwestern football, but also to the (athletic) department and the university. This is a reflection on how people feel about Pat.”
Fitzgerald a fan of Molk
Michigan senior center David Molk will have a big fan on the opposing sidelines Saturday. Fitzgerald discussed his admiration for the Illinois native.
Fitzgerald explained that Northwestern heavily recruited Molk out of Lemont Township High School prior to the 2007 season and, to this day, he still admires his play.
"I fell in love with his demeanor and his attitude. He loved the game of football, he's a tireless worker and spectacular as far as all the things off the field," Fitzgerald said of Molk. "And then you pop in the tape and he does everything the right way, he plays every play like it's his last.
"A lot of times I've just been watching him as a fan. Unfortunately, we have to play him this week, but I'll be a fan of his going forward."
Fitzgerald also said that he's very familiar with Michigan guard Michael Schofield, who attended the same Chicagoland high school (Orland Park) as Fitzgerald.
Persa's "great" for Saturday
Fitzgerald said Monday that Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa would be ready to play against Michigan despite being held out late during the Wildcats' loss to Illinois last week.
Persa missed the Wildcats' first three games of the season while still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but returned to the lineup last week to throw for 123 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-35 loss at Illinois.
On Tuesday, Fitzgerald reaffirmed that his star quarterback would be ready to play again this weekend.
"Dan's great," Fitzgerald said. "Danny's great and good to go."
Whether Persa is fully healthy or not, Fitzgerald seems confident enough in reserve quarterback Kain Colter. Through four games this season, Colter has completed 66 percent of his passes for 427 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He's also currently leading the Wildcats in rushing with 266 yards and four scores.
"It's great to have Danny back, we've got a pretty special one-two punch right now with him and Kain," Fitzgerald said. "Both guys are giving us a chance to win football games."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Mick
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 : 5:56 a.m.
Let me put it this way, thank goodness Hoke is our coach. When you look at how successful Hoke already is and will be even more in the future, Brandon knew exactly what he was doing and who he wanted to lead Michigan going forward. I like Fitzgerald but Hoke is a better fit and a better coach, we're lucky to have such a class act who players will lay it on the line for.
blueiniowa
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Chicago media loves to throw things against the wall and see what sticks. This goes back to when Grant Hill when their 'sources said Grant HIll WILL be a Bull' after his first Pistons contract was up. Stoops to Notre Dame, if you want a recent example. After all the bad pub over taking RR from WVU, we were NEVER going to touch a coach in the conference. Wasn't going to happen.
heartbreakM
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
Love Pat Fitzgerald. That being said, he belongs at Northwestern. I don't believe there was anything to those "rumors" anyway, because I could not see Michigan poaching a coach from another member school. But Fitzgerald is everything right about college football. Tough player. Graduated. Loves his players. Good coach. Loyal. Respectful, comes off as smart. I hope he stays forever at NW and has great success (except against UM). He is exactly the kind of coach that I'd want my kid to play for and the kind of coach I'd want at my program, but he is at his perfect spot. I have to think NW knows that, too.
XTR
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
Agree 100%. Pat F is a Northwestern Man lol! Perfect fit.
chiro19
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
I heard Bill Belichick was thinking about taking the Michigan job! Brady was trying to talk him into it until he heard that Chuck Norris was a candidate! Thats why Belichick and Tom are not getting along because Brady left him out to dry and Norris wants to smoke him right now. It sounds like Belichick is going to bench Brady for their next game as a payback but is freaking out because there was a Norris sighting in New Hampshire training bears how to hunt. From what I heard Norris will be in Boston for the NYJ game. He apparently is going to be the Fly Over! This is insider info so keep it hush hush! Go Blue! Naaaaaaahhhh Just Kidding! This must be a really boring Tuesday in sports news.
XTR
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
Dave Brandon hired a search firm and he gave a dozen names. When contacted, the candidate was asked if they were interested to be a candidate for the Michigan job. Those that said yes, were interviewed, those that said no were left alone. We do not know if Pat Fitzgerald indeed was asked by the search firm although there were newspaper reports that says Pat was asked by the firm and said he was not interested.
David Vande Bunte
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 6:14 p.m.
I never read anything that listed Fitzgerald as a potential replacement...