Northwestern University Athletics
Welcome Home: Fitzgerald Names Tim McGarigle Safeties Coach
1/9/2018 2:45:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern alumnus Tim McGarigle has been hired as the Wildcats Safeties Coach, Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Tuesday.
"We're excited to bring one of the best in Wildcats history home to the Northwestern sideline," said Fitzgerald. "His record reflects one of the most productive defensive players in program and FBS history, and he has since built an impressive coaching resume in both college and professional football. He has a great understanding of our culture and expectations, and will make an immediate impact on the recruiting trail and on the field."
McGarigle spent the 2017 campaign as a defensive quality control coach for the National Football League's Green Bay Packers under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. His responsibilities included analyzing opponent game film to identify playbook development and offensive tendencies, as well as compiling team and player reports and coordinating scout teams that the starting defense faces at practice.
Prior to his NFL tenure, McGarigle spent the 2016 season as Linebackers Coach at the University of Illinois, and four seasons (2012-15) at Western Michigan University in the same position along with two years as Defensive Run Game Coordinator. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2011. McGarigle served as a defensive quality control assistant while studying for a master's degree in sports administration, and helped Northwestern improve in rushing, total and scoring defense en route to reaching its fourth straight bowl game.
The Chicago native attended St. Patrick High School and was inducted into to the Shamrock Hall of Fame in 2008. He totaled 107 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior in 2001 as the Catholic Metropolitan Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the Catholic All-State and All-Area teams by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News.
During his college career with the Wildcats, McGarigle totaled a school and FBS-record 545 career tackles, (since 2000, when NCAA tackle records began). As a senior in 2005, he posted 156 tackles and was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Dick Butkus Award. He totaled three consecutive 140-plus-tackle seasons after posting 98 in his debut. McGarigle earned his undergraduate degree in communications studies.
McGarigle was drafted by St. Louis in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. After spending the 2006 season on the Rams' practice squad, he played in 12 games in 2007, primarily on special teams. McGarigle was selected as the team's Iron Man Award winner after the season for his dedication and achievements during team workouts. He also played two seasons (2009-10) in the United Football League, helping the Florida Tuskers win 11 of 14 regular-season games and appear in the championship game both of those seasons.
Tim and his wife, Charlotte, have two daughters, Claire and Catherine.
"We're excited to bring one of the best in Wildcats history home to the Northwestern sideline," said Fitzgerald. "His record reflects one of the most productive defensive players in program and FBS history, and he has since built an impressive coaching resume in both college and professional football. He has a great understanding of our culture and expectations, and will make an immediate impact on the recruiting trail and on the field."
McGarigle spent the 2017 campaign as a defensive quality control coach for the National Football League's Green Bay Packers under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. His responsibilities included analyzing opponent game film to identify playbook development and offensive tendencies, as well as compiling team and player reports and coordinating scout teams that the starting defense faces at practice.
Prior to his NFL tenure, McGarigle spent the 2016 season as Linebackers Coach at the University of Illinois, and four seasons (2012-15) at Western Michigan University in the same position along with two years as Defensive Run Game Coordinator. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 2011. McGarigle served as a defensive quality control assistant while studying for a master's degree in sports administration, and helped Northwestern improve in rushing, total and scoring defense en route to reaching its fourth straight bowl game.
The Chicago native attended St. Patrick High School and was inducted into to the Shamrock Hall of Fame in 2008. He totaled 107 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior in 2001 as the Catholic Metropolitan Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to the Catholic All-State and All-Area teams by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign News.
During his college career with the Wildcats, McGarigle totaled a school and FBS-record 545 career tackles, (since 2000, when NCAA tackle records began). As a senior in 2005, he posted 156 tackles and was named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Dick Butkus Award. He totaled three consecutive 140-plus-tackle seasons after posting 98 in his debut. McGarigle earned his undergraduate degree in communications studies.
McGarigle was drafted by St. Louis in the seventh round (221st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. After spending the 2006 season on the Rams' practice squad, he played in 12 games in 2007, primarily on special teams. McGarigle was selected as the team's Iron Man Award winner after the season for his dedication and achievements during team workouts. He also played two seasons (2009-10) in the United Football League, helping the Florida Tuskers win 11 of 14 regular-season games and appear in the championship game both of those seasons.
Tim and his wife, Charlotte, have two daughters, Claire and Catherine.
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