Fitzgerald 'still trying to build foundation'
Pat Fitzgerald is trying to strike a balance.
The second-year coach doesn't condone the wildly inconsistent season Northwestern had.
"At 6-6, you're an average football team," he said.
But he also doesn't deny the bigger picture, even if it's not what bowl-hungry fans want to hear.
"We're in Year 2 of the program that I'm leading," he said Monday in a meeting with reporters. "Occasionally, you can lose sight of that. I don't. I look at it as I'm still trying to build a foundation.
"Most teams, if you're going to move in the right direction, things are going to happen in Year 2 and Year 3. This will be an important year."
NU will practice three times next week, but its bowl hopes are all but dashed. Consequently, a crucial off-season begins for the nation's youngest coach, who repeatedly talked Monday of changing his team's attitude.
Fitzgerald, who met with athletic director Mark Murphy before meeting with reporters, also will consider changes in staff and schemes. With NU's offense going from worst to first in the Big Ten in total yards, any major moves likely would come on the defensive side.
"I've got to evaluate everything," Fitzgerald said. "We haven't made dramatic changes, and those are some of the things I'll evaluate. Are we doing the right things to fit our personnel?"
NU ranked 10th in the Big Ten in scoring defense (31 ppg), total defense (410.5), rushing defense (167.1) and pass defense (243.4) despite returning six linemen and four defensive backs with starting experience.
Fitzgerald was asked how the defense could reflect the ferocious NU units for which he starred in the mid-1990s.
"We need to grow to become that unit," Fitzgerald said. "We played cohesive, we played aggressive, we played physical, and we played together.
"We're not there yet."
Offensive line could be the biggest question mark next year as NU loses three starters (left tackle Dylan Thiry, center Trevor Rees and left guard Adam Crum). Also gone is middle linebacker Adam Kadela, who made 47 more tackles than any other defender.
During the coming months, Fitzgerald hopes to increase competition, an element he felt dwindled because of injuries this season.
"You can put guys in a crucible in the off-season," he said. "We need to get our mental attitude to the point where we compete for championships.
"If we get our attitude in the right spot, the physical things will all take care of themselves."
Fitzgerald doesn't expect to sign any more than 18 recruits this winter. NU has so far received 10 verbal commitments. The coach hasn't met with potential fifth-year seniors but expects every eligible scholarship player to return.
Benedictine (1-1) at Northwestern (0-2)
When: 7 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena
TV: Available at www.bigtennetwork.com
The skinny: After nearly falling to Wheaton College last season, Northwestern hosts another Division III foe from the Western suburbs. The Wildcats are still searching for their first win despite two strong performances from freshman guard Michael Thompson, who is averaging 20 points on 50 percent shooting. Benedictine University comes off a 73-57 loss to Wheaton in the championship game of the Lee Pfund Classic. Jared Bailey (13.5 ppg) and Huntley native Michael Fahey (13 ppg) lead the Eagles, who are shooting 42.6 percent from 3-point range. NU has been outrebounded 91-50 in its first two games.