Pat Fitzgerald Autographs
Patrick William Fitzgerald Jr. (born December 2, 1974) is an American former football player and coach. He served as the head football coach of the Northwestern Wildcats from July 2006 until he was fired in July 2023 in the aftermath of a hazing scandal.
Fitzgerald was promoted following the sudden death of head coach Randy Walker prior to the 2006 season. He was 31 at the time, making him the youngest head football coach in the Big Ten Conference and NCAA Division I FBS. Fitzgerald became the longest-tenured head coach in Northwestern football history. He played as a linebacker for Northwestern from 1993 to 1996, winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award twice as the best defensive player in college football. He was awarded a Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1997 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Fitzgerald starred at linebacker for the Wildcats in the mid-1990s, helping to lead the team to a 10–1 regular season record in 1995 and a berth in the 1996 Rose Bowl, the school's second bowl appearance and the first since 1949. He recorded eleven tackles in Northwestern's victory over #9 Notre Dame in South Bend, the Wildcats' first victory over the Irish since 1962. Against #7 Michigan, Fitzgerald led the defensive effort with 14 tackles, including two tackles for losses, in the Wildcats' 19–13 win, the first for Northwestern against Michigan since 1959. At one point during the 1995 season he averaged over 13 tackles a game on his way to Consensus All-America honors. Fitzgerald was unable to play in the Rose Bowl after breaking his leg in the next-to-last game of the 1995 season against Iowa. Fitzgerald returned for the 1996 season, leading the Wildcats to a 9–3 overall record, a second straight Big Ten Championship, and a second consecutive New Year's Day bowl, the 1997 Citrus Bowl.
Read more about Pat Fitzgerald on Wikipedia
Affiliate disclosure: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Traded items with a signature of Pat Fitzgerald
The most expensive item with a signature of Pat Fitzgerald (PAT FITZGERALD MSU MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS SIGNED AUTO FULL SIZE REP HELMET JSA) was sold in February 2026 for $619.98 while the cheapest item (PAT FITZGERALD NORTHWESTERN SIGNED PHOTO) found a new owner for $0.99 in November 2011. The month with the most items sold (10) was February 2026 with an average selling price of $93.99 for an autographed item of Pat Fitzgerald. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in August 2017 with $324.99 and the month that saw the lowest prices with $0.99 was March 2009. In average, an autographed item from Pat Fitzgerald is worth $24.99.
Most recently, these items with a signature of Pat Fitzgerald were sold on eBay - click here for more items.
| Picture | Item Title | Price | Store |
 | Pat Fitzgerald 1997 Genuine Article CERTIFIED AUTOGRAPH (TEXAS LONGHORNS) | $3.82 |  |
| Pat Fitzgerald 1997 Genuine Article CERTIFIED AUTOGRAPH (TEXAS LONGHORNS) | $3.82 | |
| Pat Fitzgerald 1997 Genuine Article CERTIFIED AUTOGRAPH (TEXAS LONGHORNS) | $4.82 | |
 | Pat Fitzgerald Michigan State Spartans Football autograph signed 8x10 photo | $93.99 | |
| Pat Fitzgerald Michigan State Spartans Football autograph signed 8x10 photo! | $93.99 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD MSU MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS SIGNED AUTO FULL SIZE REP HELMET JSA | $619.98 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD MSU MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS SIGNED AUTO FULL SIZE REP HELMET JSA | $619.98 | |
| Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern Football Signed 5 x 7" Photo Auto (No COA) *CF358 | $15.25 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS SIGNED 8x10 PHOTO BECKETT COA Z87945 | $39.95 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD SIGNED 8x10 PHOTO MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH COA | $79.99 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD SIGNED 8x10 PHOTO MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH COA | $79.99 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD Signed Autographed Autograph Football MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS | $149.95 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD SIGNED AUTOGRAPHED MSU SPARTANS SPEED MINI HELMET JSA | $259.98 | |
 | PAT FITZGERALD UT TEXAS LONGHORNS 1997 GENUINE ARTICLE CERT AUTOGRAPH AUTO CARD | $9.98 | |
| PAT FITZGERALD UT TEXAS LONGHORNS 1997 GENUINE ARTICLE CERT AUTOGRAPH AUTO CARD | $9.98 | |
Latest News about Pat Fitzgerald
How much success will Pat Fitzgerald have at MSU vs Michigan? (06/16/2026): How much success will Pat Fitzgerald have at Michigan State vs Michigan? Vote in this edition of SB Nation Reacts. 
Detroit King Safety, Don Spillers, Commits to Michigan State After Heated Recrui (06/16/2026): Pat Fitzgerald lands versatile Detroit standout Don Spillers, choosing the Spartans over Illinois to bring a wrestling-bred toughness back to East Lansing’s rebuilding defensive secondary. Pat Fitzgerald lands first 4-star in Michigan State's 2027 class (06/13/2026): Offensive lineman Caleb Johnson from Noblesville, Indiana became Michigan State football's first four-star recruit for Pat Fitzgerald's 2027 class. Michigan State football lands 2 more, boosts 2027 class to 13 commits (06/08/2026): With the Sunday additions of TE Ryan Pankey and WR Zach Forbish, Pat Fitzgerald now has 13 players in Michigan State football's 2027 recruiting class. Michigan State's Latest Commitment Continues Pat Fitzgerald's Defensive Blueprin (06/07/2026): Explosive edge rusher Lawrence Kanneh joins the Spartans’ growing 2027 class, reinforcing a high-speed defensive front designed to dominate the Big Ten trenches under a new regime.
Older News Stories about Pat Fitzgerald
Michigan State Adds Late Official Visit Ahead of Big Recruiting Weekend: 4-Star (05/2026): Pat Fitzgerald’s staff bolsters an already massive recruiting weekend, securing a high-stakes visit from the explosive Ohio playmaker as the Spartans battle several Big Ten rivals for his commitment. Michigan State adds commitment from talented DL Ohimai Ozolua (04/2026): Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita defensive lineman Ohimai Ozolua announced his commitment to Michigan State on Friday. He chose the Spartans over offers from Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee, among others. The three-star prospect visited East Lansing in March and came away impre Michigan State football adds 2 commits for 2027, including Brighton OL (03/2026): Michigan State football coach Pat Fitzgerald got two commitments for 2027 on Tuesday, March 17, from Brighton OT Jack Carlson and Ohio QB Eli Stumpf. Pat Fitzgerald comments on the college football calendar debate (02/2026): Pat Fitzgerald made his feelings known on where he stands on the great college football calendar debate. Michigan State Football 2026 Schedule Breakdown and Analysis (01/2026): Pat Fitzgerald and the Spartans have the schedule to win right away. Here's the CFN 2026 breakdown of the 2026 Michigan State slate. Michigan State poaches Wisconsin RB coach for same position (12/2025): For the final spot on the Michigan State coaching staff, Pat Fitzgerald has poached Wisconsin RB coach Devon Spalding for the same role. Michigan State expected to hire Pat Fitzgerald: Spartans act quickly after firin (11/2025): Fitzgerald is making his return to the Big Ten after 17 seasons at Northwestern Virginia Tech football ‘floated’ candidates include Alex Golesh, Pat Fitzgerald (09/2025): Virginia Tech football's coaching search reportedly includes targeting a few well-established head coaches around the country. Northwestern settles after hazing claims, but how does that help Pat Fitzgerald (08/2025): Doesn't matter how much money was deposited into Pat Fitzgerald's bank account. How much is a man's reputation worth? Agreement in works to settle Northwestern hazing lawsuits that led to football c (04/2025): Former Northwestern University football players are finalizing an agreement with the school to settle lawsuits alleging hazing and abuse that led to longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald’s firing, a school spokesman and attorneys said Tuesday. Looking for a reason to believe in Utah State? Look no further than David Braun (08/2024): Northwestern fired its successful head coach Pat Fitzgerald in July last year, similar to USU's termination of Anderson this summer. One year after hazing scandal, Northwestern and Pat Fitzgerald still dealing wit (07/2024): One year ago, Pat Fitzgerald was fired as Northwestern football coach after hazing accusations. Where things stand between sides and player lawsuits. ‘We certainly got it right this time’: Interim tag removed, David Braun takes ov (11/2023): EVANSTON, Ill. — This year has been a whirlwind for David Braun. In January, Northwestern hired Braun as defensive coordinator, a position he held with North Dakota State for four seasons, helping the Bison to two FCS national championships. Six months later, Braun replaced the man who hired him — W Before Northwestern fired him, ex-coach Pat Fitzgerald was due major raise in 20 (10/2023): Details from ex-football coach Pat Fitzgerald's lucrative Northwestern contract were revealed when his attorneys filed a lawsuit against the school. Northwestern hazing scandal, explained: Why Pat Fitzgerald was fired, replaced b (09/2023): Unpacking the hazing allegations that led Northwestern to fire Pat Fitzgerald as football coach and replace him with interim coach David Braun. Northwestern denounces football staffers for ‘tone deaf’ shirts worn at practice (08/2023): Northwestern University denounced a few football coaches and staffers who wore shirts appearing to pay tribute to former head coach Pat Fitzgerald at practice on Wednesday. Northwestern to hire Skip Holtz: Veteran coach will serve as special assistant t (07/2023): In a temporary position, Holtz will help interim coach David Braun after the firing of Pat Fitzgerald Pat Fitzgerald disregards reports about Peter Skoronski's short arms (04/2023): Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald pries teams to look at Peter Skoronski's tape before making assumptions about his physical characteristics. Northwestern’s Fitzgerald lets defensive coordinator go (11/2022): Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is shaking up his staff after the Wildcats' worst season in 33 years, announcing Tuesday that defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil and two other assistant coaches will not return. N'western rewards Fitzgerald with 10-year deal (01/2021): Northwestern has reached agreement with football coach Pat Fitzgerald on a 10-year contract extension that will keep him with the school through the 2030 season. Sources: NFL teams eye NW's Fitzgerald for HC (12/2020): NFL teams are expected to make formal requests to interview Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald for their head-coaching jobs after the Wildcats' bowl game, league sources told ESPN. Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald declines Panthers interview, could be top Bears ca (12/2019): Fitzgerald has been on NFL radars for years Northwestern hopes turnaround starts by beating Purdue (11/2019): As bad as things are going for Northwestern, coach Pat Fitzgerald is sure of this. ''I have 1 million percent confidence we'll get back on the winning track,'' Fitzgerald said, citing the team's work ethic in practice and in the classroom. With a 97-77 record in 14 seasons, On Aidan Smith, Hunter Johnson and the meaning of the word 'or' (10/2019): Coach Pat Fitzgerald talked around the issue of why, while his offense fails, he is playing just one of his two QBs.
