Who Could Replace Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern? Bruce Feldman's List of Candidates from Duke to the NFL"

 The Northwestern Wildcats football program has been under the guidance of head coach Pat Fitzgerald since 2006. Under his leadership, the team has achieved a great deal of success, including multiple bowl game victories and Big Ten West Division titles. However, there has been speculation in recent years about when Fitzgerald might choose to step down, and who might be his successor.

Sports journalist Bruce Feldman recently put together a list of potential candidates to replace Fitzgerald at Northwestern, ranging from current college coaches to NFL assistants. Among the college coaches on the list are David Cutcliffe of Duke, Matt Rhule of Baylor, and Tom Allen of Indiana.

David Cutcliffe has been the head coach at Duke since 2008, and has recorded a 74-84 record during his tenure. However, he has a reputation as a strong developer of quarterbacks, having worked with the likes of Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Daniel Jones. Cutcliffe also has experience coaching in the Big Ten, having served as the offensive coordinator at Purdue from 1997 to 2001.

Matt Rhule is currently the head coach at Baylor, where he has compiled a 20-27 record over four seasons. Prior to his time at Baylor, Rhule had success at Temple, leading the Owls to back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2015 and 2016. Rhule has also spent time as an assistant coach in the NFL, working with the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.

Tom Allen has been the head coach at Indiana since 2017, and has led the Hoosiers to three bowl games in four seasons. Allen has also been recognized for his work as a defensive coordinator, having won the Broyles Award in 2015 while serving in that role at Ole Miss. Allen is known for his energetic personality and his ability to connect with players.

Feldman's list also includes several NFL assistants who could be potential candidates for the Northwestern job. Among them are Joe Brady, the former offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, and Brian Daboll, the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

Joe Brady made a name for himself as the passing game coordinator at LSU during the team's national championship season in 2019. He then spent one season as the offensive coordinator for the Panthers, where he worked with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Brady is known for his innovative offensive schemes and his ability to develop quarterbacks.

Brian Daboll has spent time as an offensive coordinator in both the NFL and college ranks, and has been a part of six Super Bowl-winning teams as an assistant coach. Daboll has worked with quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Josh Allen, and is known for his ability to design offenses to fit the strengths of his players.

While it remains to be seen who will ultimately replace Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern, the list of potential candidates put together by Bruce Feldman provides a glimpse into the type of coach that could be a good fit for the Wildcats. Whether it's an experienced college coach with a track record of success, or an up-and-coming assistant coach from the NFL, Northwestern will likely be looking for a coach who can continue the program's tradition of excellence both on and off the field.