Former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald returns to football at Loyola Academy

WILMETTE, Ill. - Ousted Northwestern University head coach Pat Fitzgerald is back on the football field in a smaller capacity.

Fitzgerald is volunteering with high school football power and Wilmette institution Loyola Academy.

The school confirmed the news on Thursday, saying Fitzgerald, a Northfield resident, underwent training, completed a background check, and signed a code of conduct agreement to meet the school’s coaching and volunteering requirements.

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Fitzgerald was fired from Northwestern in July in response to hazing allegations.

Meanwhile, former Northwestern athletes are condemning the alleged hazing in a letter.

The letter, obtained by ESPN, was signed by more than one-thousand former athletes, including nearly 300 former football players.

In it, they call the allegations troubling and they support the university's efforts to investigate. However, they solidify their support for the university, saying the allegations don't represent the "overall athletics culture."

The letter says Northwestern has "a remarkable culture that fosters excellence in sports, academics, and community development."

"These experiences were the building blocks for each of our lives after graduation. This is the Northwestern we proudly came to know and appreciate, and for which we are immensely grateful."

Northwestern is facing several lawsuits from former football players and other athletes who say they were victims of hazing.

Additionally, three former baseball staffers are suing the school over what they call an "abusive, toxic" environment.