Is Pat Fitzgerald the Right Rebuilder for UCLA Football?

Pat Fitzgerald has emerged as a name to watch in UCLA's coaching search after settling his wrongful termination lawsuit with Northwestern in August 2025. The question is whether his Big Ten experience translates to what the Bruins need right now.

Why Fitzgerald's Big Ten Experience Matters

Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons at Northwestern, posting a 110-101 overall record with two Big Ten West titles. According to his November 6 statement following the settlement, he feels "100% vindicated" and has been actively talking with schools about returning to coaching.

His success at Northwestern came from building a competitive program despite major constraints. The Wildcats reached 10 bowl appearances under his watch and won 10 games three different times, which sounds modest until you consider Northwestern's academic standards and historical struggles in the conference. He turned a program that was a Big Ten doormat into a consistent bowl team.

UCLA faces similar resource limitations compared to other Big Ten schools. Fitzgerald proved he can win without massive financial advantages, relying instead on player development and defensive excellence. That experience building within constraints mirrors what UCLA needs right now.

The Administrative Alignment UCLA Desperately Needs

Beyond his on-field record, Fitzgerald's coaching philosophy could address UCLA's biggest off-field problem. In his recent College GameDay podcast interview, he stressed that finding a school with strong leadership partnership across all levels matters more than anything else. He emphasized the importance of alignment between the athletic director, administration, and coaching staff.

This matters because UCLA's athletic director, Martin Jarmond, has faced criticism for mismanaging donor relations and failing to invest adequately in football. The resources exist within the UCLA community to fund the program competitively, but the leadership hasn't mobilized them. Fitzgerald's explicit focus on building those administrative partnerships could reframe how UCLA approaches its donor base and athletic department structure.

Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A detailed view of UCLA Bruins helmet during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

That administrative insight sets him apart from purely on-field candidates. But the question remains whether his on-field approach fits UCLA's current roster and needs.

The Mismatch Between Fitzgerald's Philosophy and UCLA's Offense

Nov 19, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald walks the sidelines during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Fitzgerald built Northwestern into a defensive program first and foremost. His teams became known for holding opponents in check even when the offense struggled to score points. That worked at Northwestern, where expectations were different and winning seven to eight games meant success through complementary football and field position.

UCLA's situation is completely different. The Bruins just invested heavily in transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who has shown he can lead late-game drives and put up points.

Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Bringing in a defensive-minded coach when UCLA already has offensive talent doesn't make strategic sense. Fitzgerald's Northwestern teams often won low-scoring games through defensive dominance and complementary football. The Bruins need someone who can maximize their offensive weapons first while addressing defensive gaps through smart portal additions.

Questions About Readiness for Modern College Football

Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald yells down field during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 17-9. Purduenorthwesternfb111922 Am37297 | Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Fitzgerald hasn't coached since July 2023. College football has changed dramatically in those two years, particularly around the transfer portal and NIL recruiting. The portal operates on compressed timelines now, requiring immediate decisions and efficient resource allocation.

He spent his time away studying modern college football dynamics and says he's ready for NIL and revenue-sharing realities. But studying from the sidelines differs from actually navigating these systems under pressure. UCLA needs someone who can hit the ground running with portal recruiting and NIL mobilization, not someone learning on the job after a two-year absence.

The Bruins are 3-6 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play this season, struggling after a 0-4 start before interim coach Tim Skipper led them to three consecutive wins.

Skipper's immediate success after taking over mid-season showed that UCLA responds to energy and adaptability. He established team captains through player voting, created leadership councils, and modified the offensive approach to emphasize fun and development. Whether a coach approaching age 50, after a two-year absence, can match that adaptability remains a fair question.

UCLA's interim head coach Tim Skipper celebrates after a Bruins touchdown against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There's also the matter of the hazing scandal that ended his Northwestern tenure. The settlement cleared Fitzgerald legally, with the university stating that the evidence didn't show that players reported hazing to him or that he directed it. He has been publicly stating that he feels vindicated and has received positive responses from schools.

Still, UCLA is already dealing with donor skepticism and administrative credibility problems after the Foster disaster. Hiring a coach whose previous tenure ended amid controversy adds unnecessary risk to a program that can't afford more dysfunction during its Big Ten transition.

Fitzgerald brings legitimate Big Ten experience and a proven ability to build programs within constraints. His emphasis on administrative alignment addresses UCLA's biggest long-term weakness. But the Bruins invested heavily in quarterback talent and have an offensive infrastructure ready to maximize.

Fitzgerald's defensive-first philosophy and time away from coaching create meaningful questions about fit, even with his impressive resume.

Make sure to bookmark UCLA Bruins On SI to get all your daily UCLA Bruins news, analysis and more!

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @UCLAInsideronSI to keep up with every story surrounding UCLA athletics!

Please let us know your thoughts on this when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.

Why Fitzgerald's Big Ten Experience Matters

The Administrative Alignment UCLA Desperately Needs

The Mismatch Between Fitzgerald's Philosophy and UCLA's Offense

Questions About Readiness for Modern College Football

UCLA Bruins Latest News