(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Northwestern University has parted ways with Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald after continuing revelations about a hazing scandal within the program, President Michael Schill said in a statement released Monday evening.
"This afternoon, I informed Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald that he was being relieved of his duties effective immediately," Schill is quoted as saying.
"The decision comes after a difficult and complex evaluation of my original discipline decision imposed last week on Coach Fitzgerald for his failure to know and prevent significant hazing in the football program."
Last week, NU's president said Fitzgerald had been suspended for two weeks without pay over allegations about hazing and misconduct that he should have known about.
The Daily Northwestern then published on Saturday detailing allegations from a former player who described specific instances of hazing and sexual abuse. The report also indicated that Fitzgerald “may have known that hazing took place.”
Fitzgerald released a statement Monday evening saying he has hired a law firm to "take the necessary steps to protect my rights in accordance with the law," according to ESPN.
A two-time All-American linebacker at Northwestern, Fitzgerald was named head coach in 2006 following the sudden passing of head coach Randy Walker. He had previously served as linebackers coach for the program. Fitzgerald was 110-101 over 16 years as head coach.
Schill said Fitzgerald has had a “tremendous impact” on the university and students whom he has worked with.
“However, as much as Coach Fitzgerald has meant to our institution and our student-athletes, we have an obligation — in fact a responsibility — to live by our values, even when it means making difficult and painful decisions such as this one. We must move forward,” Schill said.
Contributing: 670 The Score, The Associated Press
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