How the latest revelations from Northwestern investigation change the outlook

A little more than a week after Northwestern fired Pat Fitzgerald in wake of hazing allegations within the football program, the situation has taken many different turns. The latest came July 19 when multiple current and former university officials — including Fitzgerald and former athletic director Jim Phillips — were named in a lawsuit.

Northwestern is facing multiple lawsuits, and Phillips — now the ACC commissioner — is among the people listed as defendants. It not only shows the conversation around the university isn’t going away anytime soon, but it’s not just confined to just the baseball and football programs even after their respective coaching changes. Northwestern fired baseball coach Jim Foster after allegations of a toxic environment within the program.

Now that Phillips’ name is in the lawsuit, though, the impact of the situation beyond the Evanston city limits. Phillips released a statement Thursday denying allegations he “condoned or tolerated inappropriate conduct” at Northwestern.

“The other layer to this that makes it really interesting in terms of Jim Phillips, the ACC commissioner. It’s not just the football team,” On3’s Andy Staples said on Andy Staples On3 Wednesday night at SEC Media Days. “There was an issue with the cheerleading team, baseball just had one and apparently, there are a couple more sports that could get ensnared in this thing.

“That’s where Jim Phillips, who’s now commissioner of the ACC [and] is named in this lawsuit, this could come back to haunt him, as well.”

The second lawsuit, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, detailed racial discrimination as part of the allegations against the athletics department. That’s why On3’s Jesse Simonton said the conversation about what’s already a tough topic is changing even more. Add in the timing of it all with Big Ten Media Days less than a week away, and it’s becoming an even bigger problem.

“The way this could really get — this is already extremely serious and a sensitive subject,” Simonton said. “But because several of these players are African American and they have spoken up about how it was even more difficult for players of color … we are now broaching closer to a potential civil rights case or lawsuit that could also join this. What’s happening right now, we are in the very, very infant stages. But this is an ugly situation that this program is dealing with on the heels of Big Ten Media Days, which you’ll be at in a couple days.”

Big Ten Media Days will be ‘interesting’ for Northwestern, David Braun

After Fitzgerald’s firing, Northwestern named defensive coordinator David Braun interim head coach for this season. The interesting part there is Braun was the defensive coordinator at North Dakota State until January 2023, meaning his first season with the Wildcats has already changed dramatically.

Outside of a statement in the initial press release, Braun hasn’t publicly addressed the move to interim head coach. Additionally, president Michael Schill and athletic director Derrick Gragg — who were also named in the lawsuits — haven’t spoken beyond emails, letters and press releases. That’s why all eyes will be on Braun’s turn at the podium at Lucas Oil Stadium during Big Ten Media Days, Staples said.

“It’ll be interesting, and I’m sure all the questions will be about that,” Staples said. “And unfortunately, their interim coach — who just got there — probably not prepared to answer those questions. … He wasn’t on staff last year. He was hired this offseason. That is what makes things just really tough.”

Why Pat Fitzgerald’s decision to hire legal representation could now be about more than just money

After Northwestern fired Fitzgerald, he got big-name lawyer Dan Webb to represent him. Staples previously reported Fitzgerald had nearly $42 million left on his contract, and the impression was that’s why he got representation.

Now that he’s named in the lawsuits, Fitzgerald’s legal situation could be shifting in a big way.

“When Pat Fitzgerald hired Dan Webb, who is a very powerful attorney, my thought was this was to get Pat Fitzgerald’s money,” Staples said. “I’m sure he’s doing that, as well, but he’s also going to wind up having to defend Pat Fitzgerald in these lawsuits, it sounds like.”

Multiple former Northwestern athletes have gotten legal representation, as well, and it adds more ripples to the situation.

“As we said, the guys that went on the record with the Chicago Tribune last night and a group of reporters today have yet to join the lawsuit, but they are represented by the same lawyer,” Simonton said. “So it could be a pending situation.”