The stunning news of Pat Fitzgerald's ouster at Northwestern in the wake of an alleged hazing scandal is still resonating, but the school is attempting to move its football program forward.
On Tuesday, less than 24 hours after school leaders fired Fitzgerald, the beloved former player and coaching veteran of nearly two decades at the helm, the school confirmed that it is keeping the remainder of Fitzgerald's coaching staff intact.
Northwestern officials have begun confirming the school's decision to retain all of Fitzgerald's staffers.
The Wildcats are set to open their 2023 season with a rare Sunday game, Sept. 3 at Big Ten Conference foe Rutgers. Last year, Northwestern opened its season with a win against Nebraska in Ireland.
Northwestern officials are retaining all assistant coaches after determining that Fitzgerald should be dismissed on the heels of an school-led investigation into the hazing allegations, which initially resulted in only a two-week suspension for Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald has retained an attorney to defend his rights, he said in a Monday night statement.
Northwestern is turning the team over on an interim basis to defensive coordinator David Braun, the former award-winning North Dakota State defensive play-caller who just joined what was then Fitzgerald's program in January.
The Wildcats also have veteran offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian among their staff members. Bajakian has experience as a Power 5 coordinator prior to his arrival at Northwestern in 2020, as well as NFL experience.