Fitzgerald's Take On The Game

[VAHawkFan]

I've turned the corner and officially dislike Pat Fitzgerald. I never really cared that the guy had a jones for Iowa. I get it, he got hurt and is still seeking his revenge. Whatever. But I'm pretty much over the guy putting all credit or blame on his Northwestern squad as though Iowa's play and presence on the field has nothing to do with the outcome.

I remember in '09 after they beat us...coming back after Stanzi's injury...he spoke as though it had no impact on the game:

"It has nothing to do with Iowa, it has everything to do with us."

And this year:

“Turning the ball over . . . is a recipe for disaster,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “We stopped ourselves with turnovers and some self-inflicted wounds.”

“It’s not like Iowa did anything different than they typically do.”

Hey, I don't expect the guy to gush over the competition. Nor do expect any coach not to talk up his team. But I've never read that he's ever said anything complimentary about Iowa following a game. Nothing even so small as "They played a tough game."

He's now on my "Pr*ck" list...and I know how much that will bother him.

 

[TecmoSuperHawk]

I let out a big F&%K you to NW and Fitzgerald as the clock hit 0:00. I don't like that guy, I respect him as a coach and think he does a great job for NW, but I just don't like him. Listening to his post game comments, I had a big smile on my face because you could tell this loss just burned him. Not just because they lost a game, but they lost the Iowa game.

 

[olivecourt]

Anybody know the specifics of that sideline violation penalty? They never replayed it on TV.

 

[TecmoSuperHawk]

Anybody know the specifics of that sideline violation penalty? They never replayed it on TV.

I missed it, but my buddy next to me said one of the NW coaches ran into and knocked over the official which led him to throw the flag.

 

[CAARHawk]

I would like to know that too.

 

[FromFry2Ferentz]

I missed it, but my buddy next to me said one of the NW coaches ran into and knocked over the official which led him to throw the flag.

Wouldnt surprise me Patty Fitz was running up and down the sideline like a 14 year old with adhd.

 

[tm3308]

I let out a big F&%K you to NW and Fitzgerald as the clock hit 0:00. I don't like that guy, I respect him as a coach and think he does a great job for NW, but I just don't like him. Listening to his post game comments, I had a big smile on my face because you could tell this loss just burned him. Not just because they lost a game, but they lost the Iowa game.

This. Damn good coach, and (obviously) a perfect fit at Northwestern. Just a DB when it comes to Iowa (I understand why, but still, he's a d*uche when it comes to the Hawks).

 

[Hal9000]

Wouldnt surprise me Patty Fitz was running up and down the sideline like a 14 year old with adhd.

THIS is exactly what ALL the NW coaches do on every play, they are 2 yards on the field signaling every single play and then they run down the field with the team on every play. The refs obviously talked to them about it, by making a point to all go over there on the timeouts, and the NW coaches brushed them off, then when it finally came to a head a linesman who has to run down field with the movement of the ball from the LOS on every play got pasted by a coach running on the field DURING the play and he was steamed!!!

The refs are old and can break a hip or something, so he threw the flag quite emphatically and cast a scornful gaze in Fitz's direction. Lets just say Pat Fitzgerald added 1 more de-cleater tackle to his college football career! Its a shame that the NW coaches cannot act sportsmanlike for even five seconds during a game without a flag, because Post-Flag they made sure everyone was back behind the white stripe.

 

[Hawkeye11en1]

He's now on my "Pr*ck" list...and I know how much that will bother him.

Just now? He was on that list for me a while back.

 

[CAARHawk]

NW is NOT getting the same talent they got under Walker and Barnett. They are scrappy and play their hearts out, but their NFL talent is not like it was under the last two coaches.

Which makes me wonder, what would it take for Fitz to end up on the hot seat? Not saying he is close. Just considering what it would take.

 

[SDK46]

He should have at least been gracious and said something nice about Iowa.

However, with that said, the difference in the game was our pick-6 and their missed FG. He wasn't off target by mentioning their mistakes were a big deal.

 

[Hawknole]

Remember Tressel? That guy was always 6-7 yards on the field - for the whole game! He looked like a 6-year-old flag football coach, clipboard in hand calling plays. I was always suprised he never got a flag.

 

[DuffMan]

I've never understood this. I like pat, Biels too.... People read far to much into comments like this. He wasnt slamming Iowa, he was being honest. If I were a NW fan Id feel out mistakes cost us the game also. That's not a knock on Iowa. He's just saying that Iowa didn't do anything different from what they've always done, that it wasn't a game plan thing. Pat was simply saying that NW didn't execute well enough to win. I agree w him

 

[JoeHawki]

There is something I have always dislike about pf. I also dislike bb from whisky. I think it is the fact that the get overly excited on the sidelines during games. Last night pf chest bumped the player that picked vandy. I just don't. See the professionalism I expect from head coaches from both these guys.

 

[PJHawk]

Remember Tressel? That guy was always 6-7 yards on the field - for the whole game! He looked like a 6-year-old flag football coach, clipboard in hand calling plays. I was always suprised he never got a flag.

Brett Bielema is also one of the worst coaches for always being on the field.

 

[FalseMirage]

I let out a big F&%K you to NW and Fitzgerald as the clock hit 0:00. I don't like that guy, I respect him as a coach and think he does a great job for NW, but I just don't like him. Listening to his post game comments, I had a big smile on my face because you could tell this loss just burned him. Not just because they lost a game, but they lost the Iowa game.

I did the same thing at the end of the game three years ago, didn't change anything but it did make me feel a little better.

 

[DuffMan]

There is something I have always dislike about pf. I also dislike bb from whisky. I think it is the fact that the get overly excited on the sidelines during games. Last night pf chest bumped the player that picked vandy. I just don't. See the professionalism I expect from head coaches from both these guys.

This is such a ridiculous thing to complain about.

 

[GhostofBTT]

This is such a ridiculous thing to complain about.

Haters gonna hate. If all Fitz did was stand on the sideline with his arms crossed, chewing gum, the guys here would complain about it.

 

[TexMcGruder]

Brett Bielema is also one of the worst coaches for always being on the field.

But he is one of the best at cleanin' his dinner plate. Probably top ten in the nation at not wastin' food.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I don't get too worked up about stuff like this.. coaches being animated on the sideline or maybe not giving enough credit to the opponent.. PF didn't really say anything that wasn't true - it's fair game to point out your own team's mistakes.

Guess I don't expect the guy to throw us any love since he obviously despises us so much.. That said, it's hard to like a coach who so openly hates the Hawks because of an injury he suffered against us so many years ago, against different players and a completely different coaching staff. Let it go, Fitz.