[NU Sports] Fitz Contract Extended through 2015

[Eric West]

I agree that while we're certainly capable of winning at least nine 
games, so are several other Big Ten teams. Remember, last year was 
initially considered to be a peak year for NU; Wootton's unexpected 
return is a plus for the 'Cats, but he has to be fully healthy. I have 
no problem with optimism, just as long as it's not merely a pretext for 
a bunch of "Let's fire Fitz" posts the moment we lose our first (or 
second, or even fourth) game.

I like the contract extension not because I think it will stop poaching 
and/or media speculation -- that seems to happen regardless, in all 
situations -- but because it sends a message of stability and commitment 
in a "what have you done for me lately" world. Most coaches, especially 
Pat Fitzgerald, are already highly motivated to win; keeping some kind 
of constant sword hanging over their head for "motivation" is 
superfluous to the point of being insulting. No matter what happens this 
coming season, I'm glad that our AD seems to be behind our coach for the 
long haul.


Eric West
e-west at northwestern.edu


Beamsley, Jeff wrote:
> I also think it would be wonderful to see Kafka throw the ball effectively.  That would be best for him and the team.
>
> I'm just not nearly as optimistic as others and agree with Coach that we are likely to see a different QB finish the season than the one that started it.  If that happens, I think that a bowl game is going to be a struggle.
>