The Fitz Factor

Yesterday NU Athletic Director Jim Phillips announced the Wildcats have extended Pat Fitzgerald's contract through 2015. By now you know the fact no financial terms were disclosed, but it was a poorly kept secret that Fitz' salary was not on par with average Big Ten standards. I'm assuming that has been rectified and he is now satisified for the time being. If you're like me reading about contracts in relation to college coaches almost seem of little value in this day and age. The high profile coaches get lured by a new school, the school gets intoxicated, fires up the fundraising jet and voila an overpaid big name is on your campus with the promise of instant success and likely scandal lurking around the corner. I think I speak for most of us when I say the sentiment is different with Fitz.

The fact is I never thought he was going anywhere anyway. The reports of whispers in South Bend about Fitz following in Ara's path never set with me. Yes he's Irish and yes he's a southsider, but Fitz, I believe has the "there is no way I could go there" gene in him. I'm glad to see Phillips did not take this sentiment to heart and rest on the assumption that we all share. I truly believe he'll honor the contract. Better yet, by 2015, with the Olympics likely continually giving NU a huge advantage thanks to world branding and marketing of our backyard, I'm hoping we're going down the road of the JoePa life contract.

Assuming Fitz averages 7 wins per season moving forward he'll be the alltime winningest coach at NU part way through 2013 (he needs 30). At that point he'll likely be in the top ten in the nation in tenure. Here we are in year four of Fitz and only JoePa, Jim Tressel, Kirk Ferentz and Ron Zook have more tenure (yes, I know he's tied with Bielema). My hunch is at best only one of them is still coaching at their respective school at that time. What's the point?

At a place like Northwestern, tenure matters. Establishing the brand around Fitz is a key to the success. Just look at the interview yesterday with our latest recruit, Trevor Siemien's head coach. His central Florida colleagues are all taking notice of the "buzz" in Evanston created by the on-field success and passion of the coaching staff. Passion and success evenutally give way to tradition and safe choice. The fan base will continue to build with success, which in my mind is the single biggest challenge for recruiting - fan support. It's happened here before and in my mind we're still recovering from the post-Barnett bandwagon emergency exit. In an era of false promises and straight out lies to recruits, Fitz will be able to underscore his integrity and commitment guaranteeing the next few years recruits that he will be there to see them graduate.

I was jaded by signed contracts among coaches in 1987. My beloved PC Friars had just made their Cinderella run to the Final Four. Rick Pitino owned the state and Friarmania was cranked to the high volume mark. Pitino was being courted by the NY Knicks. Rumors swirled and then our savior appeared on TV with a bevy of cameras and mics to confirm to the faithful that he was staying. Balloons were launched, fans cheered and I was jumping off the wall. Within 48 hours he had snuck out the back door and taken the Knicks job. From that point forward, until yesterday, I gave no credence to contract extensions.

I'm thrilled we have Fitz signed through 2015 as I still see nothing but upside. The best upside is I actually believe the contract means something.