Report: 'Cats, Fitzgerald agree to deal

Published May. 9, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

A person familiar with the situation says Northwestern and coach Pat Fitzgerald have agreed to a new contract, finalizing a deal that's been in the works for several months.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement will not be made until Tuesday.

The length of the contract was not clear, although the person says it's ''significant.'' Fitzgerald was already under contract through 2015, but is getting a new deal after leading the Wildcats to a 34-29 record over five seasons and bowl appearances the past three years. Northwestern went 7-6 in 2010 and lost to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl.

An All-American linebacker in the 1990s, Fitzgerald helped the Wildcats reach the Rose Bowl but missed that game because of a broken leg.