NU extends Fitzgerald's contract through 2015

A 9-win season in 2008 and a trip to the Alamo Bowl have helped Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald earn a contract extension through 2015.

Jim Phillips, Northwestern's director of Athletics and Recreation, made the announcement in a statement released Tuesday.

Fitzgerald, 33, has been a member of the Wildcats' coaching staff since 2001 and NU's head coach since 2006.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," said Phillips. "This has been one of our top priorities the past few months. There is no doubt that Pat is the right individual to lead Northwestern's football program well into the future.

"In three years, Pat has quickly developed into one of the nation's top young head coaches. He bleeds purple and has tremendous passion for Northwestern. His student-athletes absolutely love playing football for him."

Fitzgerald, 19-18 in three seasons as head coach, led Northwestern to a nine-win season in 2008 and now has been a part (as a player and coach) of three of the five most successful campaigns in school history.

"It's no secret that I want to be the head football coach at Northwestern for many years to come," Fitzgerald said. "Our football program is succeeding both on and off the field, and we're proud of our recent accomplishments. We have greater aspirations, however, and I'm thankful to our administration for helping us support that vision."

This past season, Fitzgerald was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Columbus. He also was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December for his accomplishments as a linebacker at Northwestern (1993-96).

Phillips also noted that Northwestern's players are having success off the football field as well.

"Our program is enjoying unprecedented academic success, having registered a team GPA above a 3.0 this past year - the first time that has happened in our school's history," Phillips said.