Mick McCall will not return as Northwestern's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the program announced Sunday.
Pat Fitzgerald is famously loyal as a head coach, and McCall run his Wildcats offense for the past 12 seasons. But that relationship could not endure a 2019 season that saw Northwestern finish 3-9 with an offense that ranked 126th in scoring.
"Mick was one of the first hires I made when given the honor of leading this program, and has been a trusted colleague and loyal friend for almost my entire tenure," said Fitzgerald. "He's guided our offense through unquestionably one of the most successful periods in Wildcats history, with four bowl championships and nine postseason appearances. Mick recruited and coached great student-athletes and exceptional young men who have made the Northwestern community proud in so many ways after graduation."
McCall, the school noted Sunday, tutored six All-Big Ten quarterbacks and three future NFL signal callers during his time at Northwestern. He helped the Wildcats to nine bowl trips in his 12 seasons with the program, including the club's first Big Ten West championship in 2018.
McCall also coached All-American quarterbacks Josh Harris and Omar Jacobs at Bowling Green before joining the Northwestern staff.
"I'm proud of what we accomplished at Northwestern, and the success I've contributed to throughout my career," said McCall. "It's been a privilege to represent this University, and work alongside some of the best student-athletes, coaches and staff I've encountered in my career. I'll forever be indebted to Pat Fitzgerald and Jim Phillips for giving me this opportunity. A piece of my family and me will always belong to Evanston and Chicago."
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