Fitzgerald doesn't get publicized much for the CU job and I think it's because people don't know much about him. I think he brings the whole package we are looking for. I was really surprised with his close ties to CU people and the influence the Buff way has had throughout his playing and coaching careers.
Here's the bio.
Personal
Born December 2, 1974 in Orland Park, IL
Married (Stacy) with 3 sons (Jack, Ryan, Brendan)
Player
Northwestern LB from 1993 to 1996
Recruited by Gary Barnett and played all 4 years for him
Saw a 2-9 team in 1993 develop into back-to-back Big 10 Champs in 1995 and 1996
Led those championship teams as back-to-back Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year
Also only back-to-back winner of Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award
Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2008
1 Year in NFL with Dallas Cowboys in 1997
Coach
1998: Linebackers Coach with Maryland under HC Ron Vanderlinden (Buff coach from 1983-1991)
1999: Linebackers Coach with Colorado under HC Gary Barnett
2000: Linebackers Coach with Idaho under HC Tom Cable (Buff coach from 1992-1999)
2001-2005: Linebackers Coach with Northwestern
2006-present: Head Coach with Northwestern
Noteworthy:
Mike Bohn was the Idaho Athletic Director when Fitzgerald coached there.
Hired Mike Hankwitz (former Buff Defensive Coordinator) to be his DC in 2008.
American Football Coaches Association Ethics Committee since 2009.
Salary is $750,000 per year with a contract through 2015.
Summary of Northwestern performance:
Fitzgerald was preceded at Northwestern by Randy Walker. Walker had a losing record in 4/7 seasons at Northwestern with a season best of 8-4 in 2000. His last 3 seasons, the team had improved to consistent mediocrity going 6-7, 6-6, 7-5 in 2003, 2004, 2005. Walker then suddenly died in June of 2006, apparently from a heart attack.
Fitzgerald was named the Head Coach at only 31 years old under these difficult circumstances and went 4-8 his first season. He followed that up by going 6-6 in 2007, 9-4 in 2008, and 8-5 in 2009.
The 2010 team is currently 7-3 with games against Illinois and Wisconsin remaining. Realistically, they'd be fortunate to win one of them as their star quarterback Dan Persa (who was also leading the team in rushing) ruptured his Achilles during the post-game celebration after the win over #13 Iowa.
Negatives on Fitzgerald:
I see two potential issues.
First, he is not a big name on the west coast despite his success as a BCS head coach. We need to energize our existing boosters and make a splash with our potential west coast boosters. The timing with a move to the Pac-12 in 2011 means that this hire needs to make a big splash.
Second, Fitzgerald has not really been part of an elite recruiting environment with a program that is regularly competing against Top 25 programs for the top prospects. He did have the 1 year in Colorado, so that statement isn't completely true, but that's still just 1 year. Most of his career has been at Northwestern where their class is always ranked outside the top 50.
Thoughts?
Here's the bio.
Personal
Born December 2, 1974 in Orland Park, IL
Married (Stacy) with 3 sons (Jack, Ryan, Brendan)
Player
Northwestern LB from 1993 to 1996
Recruited by Gary Barnett and played all 4 years for him
Saw a 2-9 team in 1993 develop into back-to-back Big 10 Champs in 1995 and 1996
Led those championship teams as back-to-back Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year
Also only back-to-back winner of Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award
Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 2008
1 Year in NFL with Dallas Cowboys in 1997
Coach
1998: Linebackers Coach with Maryland under HC Ron Vanderlinden (Buff coach from 1983-1991)
1999: Linebackers Coach with Colorado under HC Gary Barnett
2000: Linebackers Coach with Idaho under HC Tom Cable (Buff coach from 1992-1999)
2001-2005: Linebackers Coach with Northwestern
2006-present: Head Coach with Northwestern
Noteworthy:
Mike Bohn was the Idaho Athletic Director when Fitzgerald coached there.
Hired Mike Hankwitz (former Buff Defensive Coordinator) to be his DC in 2008.
American Football Coaches Association Ethics Committee since 2009.
Salary is $750,000 per year with a contract through 2015.
Summary of Northwestern performance:
Fitzgerald was preceded at Northwestern by Randy Walker. Walker had a losing record in 4/7 seasons at Northwestern with a season best of 8-4 in 2000. His last 3 seasons, the team had improved to consistent mediocrity going 6-7, 6-6, 7-5 in 2003, 2004, 2005. Walker then suddenly died in June of 2006, apparently from a heart attack.
Fitzgerald was named the Head Coach at only 31 years old under these difficult circumstances and went 4-8 his first season. He followed that up by going 6-6 in 2007, 9-4 in 2008, and 8-5 in 2009.
The 2010 team is currently 7-3 with games against Illinois and Wisconsin remaining. Realistically, they'd be fortunate to win one of them as their star quarterback Dan Persa (who was also leading the team in rushing) ruptured his Achilles during the post-game celebration after the win over #13 Iowa.
Negatives on Fitzgerald:
I see two potential issues.
First, he is not a big name on the west coast despite his success as a BCS head coach. We need to energize our existing boosters and make a splash with our potential west coast boosters. The timing with a move to the Pac-12 in 2011 means that this hire needs to make a big splash.
Second, Fitzgerald has not really been part of an elite recruiting environment with a program that is regularly competing against Top 25 programs for the top prospects. He did have the 1 year in Colorado, so that statement isn't completely true, but that's still just 1 year. Most of his career has been at Northwestern where their class is always ranked outside the top 50.
Thoughts?