Northwestern will soon bid adieu to one of its greatest coaches in program history, as defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz will retire following the end of the season, 247Sports’ Brandon Marcello reported.
He reportedly informed head coach Pat Fitzgerald privately before the season that this season would be his last.
The Wildcat defensive coordinator, who turned 73 years old today, has spent 51 seasons as coaching football at nine different programs. In his five-decades-long career as a graduate assistant, assistant coach and interim head coach, he has posted a 399-205-7 record, leaving him just one shy of earning his 400th career win with a Big Ten Championship game and bowl game ahead.