By Teddy GreensteinThe ink is barely dry on the seven-year extension that Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald signed in June. Fitzgerald believes that deal should settle any questions about whether he would be interested in Notre Dame if the school fires Charlie Weis.
"I think I've made my intentions and my feelings about Northwestern crystal-clear," Fitzgerald told the Tribune after practice today. "I think that speaks for itself."
Fitzgerald, whose Wildcats are 7-4 heading into Saturday's game against Wisconsin, grew up a Notre Dame fan in Orland Park. But as a high school senior, he left a recruiting trip to South Bend early. And he said Wednesday that his love of the Fighting Irish wore off "a long, long time ago."
For more on Fitzgerald, check back later at chicagotribune.com/sports.
Two other rumored potential candidates for the potential Notre Dame opening are Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz.
Two other rumored potential candidates for the potential Notre Dame opening are Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz.
"It's gossip talk," Ferentz said Tuesday, according to the Des Moines Register. "That's the last thing I've thought about. I've been here 20 years, and I kind of like my job. I like it where I'm at."
Ferentz and Stoops have the same agent: Cleveland-based Neil Cornrich. Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick has said that no decision on Weis will be rendered until after the season.
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Pat Fitzgerald is not Gary Barnett. When he says he's not leaving you actually believe him. The guy bleeds purple and brings a high level of passion to the program. Northwestern is a great fit. Fitz gets 7 or 8 wins in Evanston the fans are giddy, do that in South Bend and shall we say... they aren't.
Glad to see Pat Fitz wants to stay. ND will get somebody else and be fine.
Why would Ferentz take a demotion? He makes over $3.5 mm a year at Iowa and this may sound crazy...but Iowa City is a lot nicer place than South Bend. Does he have a better chance of winning a National Championship at ND? I don't know, he was in the running at Iowa until the last couple of weeks.
Why is this a story? Was he contacted? Teddy - I'm also not in the running for the non-vacant ND job. I like my job as well in case you want to update the story.