NU fires defensive coordinator

Northwestern fired defensive coordinator Greg Colby on Monday, ending his six-year tenure with the team.

Colby's termination is the first staff change made by second-year coach Pat Fitzgerald, who hinted at a Nov. 19 meeting that adjustments could be coming.

"I want to thank Greg for his contributions to Northwestern's football program," Fitzgerald said in a statement. "However, it's time to make a change in our defensive leadership. We will start looking for a successor immediately."

NU's defense finished no higher than 68th nationally during Colby's term. The unit ranked last nationally in 2005 and second to last in 2002, his first year as coordinator.

Hopes were high this season for a defense that returned every starter on the line and three of the four starters in the secondary, but NU ranked 78th nationally in yards allowed (410.5 ypg). The group ended the season on a sour note, allowing 41 points and 541 yards against Illinois.

Fitzgerald could promote linebackers coach Randy Bates to coordinator, which would help the transition to the 3-4 alignment.

Another potential candidate is former Illinois defensive coordinator Vince Okruch, who was Northwestern's defensive-line coach when Fitzgerald played at the school and later served as coordinator.