The Green Bay Packers are expected to target University of Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald as part of their wide-ranging search for their head coaching vacancy, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Packers CEO Mark Murphy has an interesting connection with Fitzgerald, whom he hired when Murphy was the athletic director of Northwestern. Fitzgerald has turned down a number of interview requests from the NFL in the past, but his relationship with Murphy could finally convince him to sit down and talk with Green Bay.
The Packers have already begun their head coaching search by interviewing currently unattached veteran head coaches in Jim Caldwell and Chuck Pagano.
Fitzgerald, 44, has no prior NFL coaching experience. He has been Northwestern head coach since 2006 and has a 95-70 record overall. He recently led the Wildcats to an 8-5 record in 2018 as they won the Big Ten West.
Fitzgerald’s possible appointment might come as a surprise to some. Green Bay has primarily been linked with big-name offensive-minded coaches, while Fitzgerald is a relatively unknown name who has more of a defensive background. But he’s apparently highly thought of in NFL circles and has that close tie with Murphy, which makes him an intriguing candidate.
Rapoport also notes that it would be a surprise if interim coach Joe Philbin got the full-time job despite the fact that he will get to interview for the position.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have publicly voiced their support for Philbin to get the job permanently, although it doesn’t seem as though the Packers front office will put much weight on their sentiments in their ultimate decision.
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