Time for Coach Pat Fitzgerald To Leave Northwestern University Football ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

[Anonymous]

Among the top targets to become the new Northwestern University Head Football Coach is Mike Kafka the OC (offensive coordinator) for the NFL's New York Giants. Mike Kafka was a quarterback at Northwestern University and is thought to be in play for a head coaching job in the NFL as well as a target for Northwestern.

[Anonymous]

Former Wisconsin defensive coach (and interim head coach) Jim Leonhard is viewed as somewhat of a free agent currently as Leonhard is receiving monthly installment payments under a severance agreement contract with Wisconsin. Leonhard could be available immediately if he chose to forego--and possibly repay--the $1 million under the severance agreement which started in March, 2023 and continues through January, 2024. This is not a barrier for either Jim Leonhard or for Northwestern should both parties decide to proceed.

https://larrybrownsports.com/college-football/jim-leonhard-separation-agreement-wisconsin/610916

In 2021, jim Leonhard turned down an NFL offer to become the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator and instead returned/stayed at Wisconsin as a coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

Sure, the Ryans can direct the money where they want and NU can build on their own property. But the current proposal would require re-zoning and that must be approved by the city of Evanston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Among the top targets to become the new Northwestern University Head Football Coach is Mike Kafka the OC (offensive coordinator) for the NFL's New York Giants. Mike Kafka was a quarterback at Northwestern University and is thought to be in play for a head coaching job in the NFL as well as a target for Northwestern.

Kafka would be good, but he'd be giving up HC potential in NFL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Among the top targets to become the new Northwestern University Head Football Coach is Mike Kafka the OC (offensive coordinator) for the NFL's New York Giants. Mike Kafka was a quarterback at Northwestern University and is thought to be in play for a head coaching job in the NFL as well as a target for Northwestern.

Kafka would be good, but he'd be giving up HC potential in NFL

Different lifestyles & different level of stress between coaching at Northwestern University and being a head coach in the NFL.

Main difference in duties is that college football coaches need to be able to recruit top players while NFL coaches must win or perish.

[Anonymous]

https://theathletic.com/4683371/2023/07/11/northwestern-coaching-search-candidates-pat-fitzgerald/

Good article. Lots of potential head coach candidates named.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

Sure, the Ryans can direct the money where they want and NU can build on their own property. But the current proposal would require re-zoning and that must be approved by the city of Evanston.

Obviously that is a given. But people proposing that the school just redirect the 500M towards something else need to understand that NU cannot just do that----they need the Ryan's approval. The Ryan's largely funded the previous improvements to the stadium in the 90s and hence the name change from Dyche Stadium to Ryan field. They fund a lot at NU, which has included many sports related investments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

Sure, the Ryans can direct the money where they want and NU can build on their own property. But the current proposal would require re-zoning and that must be approved by the city of Evanston.

Obviously that is a given. But people proposing that the school just redirect the 500M towards something else need to understand that NU cannot just do that----they need the Ryan's approval. The Ryan's largely funded the previous improvements to the stadium in the 90s and hence the name change from Dyche Stadium to Ryan field. They fund a lot at NU, which has included many sports related investments.

I must've missed that. Who is proposing that the money be directed elsewhere?

[Anonymous]

NU is the only Big 10 school and probably one of the few major D1 schools not to have a track and field team either?! What’s up with that??

[Anonymous]

Their stadium looks like a glorified high school stadium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

Sure, the Ryans can direct the money where they want and NU can build on their own property. But the current proposal would require re-zoning and that must be approved by the city of Evanston.

Obviously that is a given. But people proposing that the school just redirect the 500M towards something else need to understand that NU cannot just do that----they need the Ryan's approval. The Ryan's largely funded the previous improvements to the stadium in the 90s and hence the name change from Dyche Stadium to Ryan field. They fund a lot at NU, which has included many sports related investments.

I must've missed that. Who is proposing that the money be directed elsewhere?

There are a few posts (in this and the other thread) where people state the money Ryan's donated for new stadium should be redirected towards academics, etc. Was just pointing out that is not how it works. As much as I wish they would put that $500M into the academics of the school, NU's hands are tied unless the Ryans direct the money towards academics

[Anonymous]

The athletic department declines but the journalism program is on the rise!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Their stadium looks like a glorified high school stadium.

Guess you never saw the old Dyche stadium then.....the current one is 1000x better, but yes it has tons of issues because it was just a renovation, not a tear down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if this scandal will have any ramifications for the proposed upgraded stadium, currently a rather heated town-gown controversy.

Not really, as the Ryan family has donated the majority of costs for the new stadium, with the money specifically earmarked for the new stadium---their money, they can direct it however they see fit.

Sure, the Ryans can direct the money where they want and NU can build on their own property. But the current proposal would require re-zoning and that must be approved by the city of Evanston.

Obviously that is a given. But people proposing that the school just redirect the 500M towards something else need to understand that NU cannot just do that----they need the Ryan's approval. The Ryan's largely funded the previous improvements to the stadium in the 90s and hence the name change from Dyche Stadium to Ryan field. They fund a lot at NU, which has included many sports related investments.

I must've missed that. Who is proposing that the money be directed elsewhere?

There are a few posts (in this and the other thread) where people state the money Ryan's donated for new stadium should be redirected towards academics, etc. Was just pointing out that is not how it works. As much as I wish they would put that $500M into the academics of the school, NU's hands are tied unless the Ryans direct the money towards academics

Ok, I see. I thought you were suggesting that residents in Evanston and/or NU faculty were calling for redistribution of the donation, which I have not seen.

For the most part, Evanston residents are supportive of a new stadium, they are just not supporting the proposed 12 concerts/year to cover the cost of maintaining the facility. Negotiations over this issue (and a few others) were ongoing when this news broke. It has resulted in some local groups suggesting a pause in going forward with the stadium until the athletic department can get their act together. Baseball coach has also been fired in recent days because of abusive behavior.