Just a few days ago, Alabama HC Nick Saban talked about the college football program has been gradually improving to help players in every aspect. The 71-year-old HC discussed how the change in times has led to the program focusing on a more holistic approach to help develop scholarship players and their college football careers. Even the Supreme Court passed an order that now allowed NCAA players to earn money through NIL deals and secure a steady cash flow apart from their scholarships. 

But now, a recent disturbing incident has left the college football scene in a state of shock. And this incident has led the Northwestern Wildcats to fire their HC with the disturbing incident coming to light.

Pat Fitzgerald fired as Northwestern head coach

Last week, Northwestern president Michael Schill stated that a six-month investigation into allegations of hazing in their football program. And with the evidence collected, he stated that HC Pat Fitzgerald should be suspended for two weeks in July.

But after the details of the allegations went public on Monday, Schill decided to ultimately fire Fitzgerald as the HC of the Wildcats. Before becoming an HC, Pat Fitzgerald played linebacker. According to the report by Schill, 11 current and former Wildcats players confirmed that hazing has been going on for years at the program. A former player claimed that senior players punished the juniors for making mistakes in practices and games in a ritual called running. Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as the HC at Northwestern. He had a good track record as HC, winning five bowls and becoming the longest-winning HC in the program’s history. He even signed a 10-year contract extension, before these allegations came to light recently.

Read more: College Football Hall of Famer Passed Away at The Age of 81

Even fans were equally troubled by the disturbing news as they took to social media to voice their discontent over the mishap that took place.

Fans left in disbelief over the hazing incident

Fans took to social media to voice their opinion regarding the allegations of hazing that led to the firing of Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern.

One fan commented, “Saying he didn’t know doesn’t help his case. As a head coach he need to be monitoring the activities of his football players. Part of Fitz’s job is protecting his college athletes at all levels. You think Nick Saban would let hazing slip by at Alabama?”

Another fan said, “This is a shock and NU needs to get real.”

This fan commented, “OMG that’s horrible”

Another fan said, “DONE. I am an alumni and they need to fire him, expel those involved and cancel this season AT LEAST. Hell no”

This fan felt like even Fitzgerald must have taken part in hazing during his playing days, commenting, “I’d say there’s a roughly 100% chance Fitz engaged in this when he played at NU.”

With the football program without an HC at the moment, it will be interesting to see how they tackle this unprecedented scenario in the coming days ahead.

Watch this story: “Who was serving you poison”: Deion Sanders leaves his 3.4 million fans in the dark with a cryptic quote that sends the internet into a frenzy