Dec. 3, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Monday that defensive coordinator Greg Colby will not return as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator for 2008.

Colby spent six years (2002-07) as Northwestern's defensive coordinator after serving in the same capacity at Kent State from 1998 through 2001. A 1975 graduate of Illinois, Colby also had assistant coaching stints at Illinois (1988-95) and Michigan State (1995-97).

"I want to thank Greg for his contributions to Northwestern's football program," said Fitzgerald."I've decided, however, it's time to make a change in our defensive leadership. We will start looking for a successor immediately."

NU NOTES: Northwestern finished the 2007 season 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten) and was bowl-eligible, but did not earn a postseason berth due to the fact that the Big Ten Conference produced a record 10 bowl-eligible teams this year and there were no available slots for its two six-win teams (NU and Iowa). The Wildcats ended up playing eight bowl-eligible teams, seven of which landed in postseason games. Northwestern defeated three bowl-bound teams: Nevada, Michigan State and Indiana.