AND NOW, NICE WORDS ABOUT A COACH

by Orson on Jun 23, 2009 4:06 PM EDT

Quiet miracle noted: Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald had his contract extended through 2015 today. Fitzgerald took over the program after the sudden death of Randy Walker in 2006, endured a 4-8 first season on the job, and learned on the job in painful fashion in a manner that at a larger program would have had him on the grill and sauteed in the unsavory butter of public scrutiny.

Following a 6-6 season in 2007, the Wildcats finished 9-4 on the season, made the Alamo Bowl, and could do just as well this season in a murky Big Ten full of teams either building (Minnesota, Michigan State) stuck in transition (Purdue,) or [UNKNOWN QUANTITY] (Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin.] At the very least, they'll be competitive and zip out through an early schedule full of Towson, Eastern Michigan, Syracuse, and Miami (OH), and make another bowl game. If you called this three years ago, you're a more optimistic punter than we are. Not that we're sad to see it: not only does Fitzgerald produce robust children at a brisk pace and want you to know this, but he's producing a steady product conceived under the most difficult circumstances in Evanston.

ONE HUNDRED COCKTAILS TO YOU, Pat Fitzgerald. If a blogger can't say anything bad about you, it can't be done.

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Comments

He’s a mediocre gin rummy player. HAHAHAHAHAPWN3D

by Holly on Jun 23, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

He was only a two-time unanimous All-American. Zombie Doc Blanchard says Fitz is weak sauce.

by worstfan on Jun 23, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

If you look closely, his teeth appear to be slightly off-white. He must drink too much coffee.

by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Jun 23, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

One time as a kid, he didn’t wash his hands before dinner. Then he sassed his mom.

by Crabapple Buck on Jun 23, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

He’s overachieved expectations after coming in under circumstances that are only comparable to Mike Shula getting the Bama job in May after Price couldn’t help himself in a strip bar on the school’s dime.

by rgw on Jun 23, 2009 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

As an NU alum who was there for both the success and backstabbery of Gary Barnett, cheers to Pat Fitzgerald. Good things happen when you hire guys that look like Marine Corps infantry officers.

by Captain Caveman on Jun 23, 2009 6:50 PM EDT reply actions