Football safety panel selects NU's Fitzgerald

Head football coaches with NFL, collegiate, high school and youth experience — including Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald — have been selected for USA Football's Tackle Advisory Committee, the first committee of its kind to benefit America's youth football community.

The five-member group of experts, including former NFL head coach Jim Mora, will assist youth coaches in teaching tackling fundamentals and strengthen player safety on a national level through USA Football resources. The committee has assisted in developing a tackle progression model – a step-by-step process for youth coaches to teach tackling fundamentals.

Other members of the USA Football Tackle Advisory Committee are former NFL player and youth football coach Merrill Hoge, high school football coach Chris Merrit of Miami Christopher Columbus High School, and sports psychologist Dr. David Yukelson of Penn State University

“We're proud to unite these experts in football and sports psychology to help youth coaches best teach the fundamentals of tackling through our coaching courses and other resources,” USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. “Better coaches develop fundamentally sound players who perform better on the field and enjoy a safer and fun football experience.”