Northwestern University Athletics
Fitzgerald Announces Changes To Coaching Staff
11/29/2022 11:30:00 AM | Football
Wildcats will not retain Jim O'Neil (DC), Marty Long (DL) and Dennis Springer (WR)
EVANSTON, Illinois – Northwestern football will not retain defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil, defensive line coach Marty Long and wide receivers coach Dennis Springer, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Tuesday.
"Our entire football family is grateful for what these three men brought to our program on and off the field," Fitzgerald said. "They recruited and developed student-athletes who will be prepared for life and make our University community proud for years to come. Marty and Dennis have been Wildcats for more than a decade and helped lead us to two division titles and five bowl championships. Ultimately, these difficult decisions were made with the intention of putting our team in the best position for success on gameday moving forward. The process to fill these important roles on our staff will begin immediately."
The Wildcats will open the 2023 campaign on Saturday, September 3, at Rutgers, and return home one week later to kick off a home slate at Ryan Field that will include visits from Iowa, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota.
"Our entire football family is grateful for what these three men brought to our program on and off the field," Fitzgerald said. "They recruited and developed student-athletes who will be prepared for life and make our University community proud for years to come. Marty and Dennis have been Wildcats for more than a decade and helped lead us to two division titles and five bowl championships. Ultimately, these difficult decisions were made with the intention of putting our team in the best position for success on gameday moving forward. The process to fill these important roles on our staff will begin immediately."
The Wildcats will open the 2023 campaign on Saturday, September 3, at Rutgers, and return home one week later to kick off a home slate at Ryan Field that will include visits from Iowa, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota.
Football - Purdue Game Week Press Conference (10/13/25)
Monday, October 13
Football - Penn State Postgame Press Conference (10/11/25)
Saturday, October 11
Football - Northwestern Stuns Penn State on the Road, 22-21 (10/11/25)
Saturday, October 11
Football - Penn State Game Week Press Conference (10/6/25)
Monday, October 06
