Home forever.
An exultant Pat Fitzgerald declared that late Monday after Northwestern's stunning comeback victory in the Holiday Bowl, and his agent confirmed it Thursday night to the Tribune. Chicago-based Bryan Harlan said that although multiple NFL teams have inquired, Fitzgerald would not be a candidate or interview.
Harlan would not get into specifics, but a source said three teams inquired, including the Packers.
Multiple outlets reported Sunday that Packers CEO Mark Murphy, who elevated Fitzgerald to head coach at Northwestern in 2006, wanted an audience with Fitzgerald.
It's not known whether Fitzgerald has long-term NFL ambitions. But they won't be realized now and probably not anytime soon.
Among the many reasons for him to stay at Northwestern are these:
_ His team just broke through and won the Big Ten West for the first time.
_ Northwestern recently opened a $270 million lakefront facility that is among the nation's best.
_ He loves athletic director Jim Phillips and university President Morton Schapiro.
_ His next quarterback figures to be Hunter Johnson, a five-star recruit who transferred from Clemson.
_ He's from the Chicago area and his family is entrenched on the North Shore.
_ Mentor Gary Barnett told him he erred in leaving Northwestern for Colorado after a seven-year stint.
_ Fitzgerald already is extremely well-compensated, earning $4.5 million per year _ a higher figure than previously reported.
A source close to Fitzgerald told the Tribune the coach was "too smart" to pursue the Packers job because Fitzgerald is so well-suited to the college game. Coaches such as Pete Carroll and Jimmy Johnson who successfully made the transition have been outnumbered by the likes of Lou Holtz, Nick Saban and Dan Devine, who did not.
