colleyvillesooner
7/7/2006, 11:11 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2512178
Northwestern will name linebackers coach Pat Fitzgerald to succeed Randy Walker at a news conference on Friday, a school source told ESPN's Joe Schad.
Fitzgerald, who won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player in 1995 and 1996, is now the Wildcats' linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.
The 31-year-old who starred on the 1995 Rose Bowl team will be the youngest coach in the nation and is considered a top recruiter.
Walker died June 29 after feeling chest pains late that night at his suburban Chicago home.
Northwestern was 37-46 under Walker. The Wildcats were 7-5 last season after a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The Wildcats shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. Northwestern also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.
Walker was the first Wildcats coach to guide the team to four seasons with at least six wins since C.M. Hollister in 1899-1902.
He arrived at Northwestern in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio, where he compiled a 59-35-5 record in nine seasons at his alma mater.
Northwestern will name linebackers coach Pat Fitzgerald to succeed Randy Walker at a news conference on Friday, a school source told ESPN's Joe Schad.
Fitzgerald, who won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player in 1995 and 1996, is now the Wildcats' linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.
The 31-year-old who starred on the 1995 Rose Bowl team will be the youngest coach in the nation and is considered a top recruiter.
Walker died June 29 after feeling chest pains late that night at his suburban Chicago home.
Northwestern was 37-46 under Walker. The Wildcats were 7-5 last season after a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The Wildcats shared the Big Ten title in 2000 and went to the Alamo Bowl. Northwestern also went to the 2003 Motor City Bowl.
Walker was the first Wildcats coach to guide the team to four seasons with at least six wins since C.M. Hollister in 1899-1902.
He arrived at Northwestern in 1999 after nine years at Miami of Ohio, where he compiled a 59-35-5 record in nine seasons at his alma mater.