(670 The Score) After having his name once again linked to NFL interest, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald signed a contract extension with the school that runs through 2030.
Fitzgerald has been coaching at Northwestern since 2006, compiling a 106-81 record over 15 seasons with the Wildcats. He has been considered for openings at larger college programs and more recently in the NFL, including this offseason. But Fitzgerald maintained that he wants to see through his personal commitment to his alma mater, he told the Mully & Haugh Show on Friday.
"A lot of times in this profession and a lot of professions, you have to move to move up," Fitzgerald said. "I'm in my dream job. I think we've made a very bold commitment, ourselves and the university to each other. We can't control what's being said. But for every recruit, man, listen, this is where I want to be."
The contract extension sets up a possibility that Fitzgerald has dreamed of -- the chance to coach his three sons. The length of this contract runs through Fitzgerald's youngest son graduating college, he said.
"I would be honored to coach my boys," Fitzgerald said. "Now, they better work their butts off in school to be able to get in here and they better get in the weight room and better be good players. But absolutely, that would be phenomanal. That would be unbelievable.
"We love Chicago. We love Evanston. We love living in Northfield. We love it here at Northwestern. And we feel very blessed and fortunate."
Northwestern went 7-2 this past season, losing to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game before beating Auburn in the Citrus Bowl.