Tim McGarigle

Biography

Tim McGarigle – a Northwestern alum (2006), the school's all-time leading tackler and the FBS' third all-time career tackler with 545 stops – joined Northwestern's coaching staff in 2018 and was named defensive coordinator in January 2024 while continuing to serve as linebackers coach. McGarigle is the first Northwestern alum to hold defensive play-calling duties since Jerry Brown (1999-2001). McGarigle has coached six All-Big Ten linebackers, including Mac Uihlein in 2025, Bryce Gallagher and Xander Mueller in 2023, and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Paddy Fisher, in 2020. In his second season as defensive coordinator in 2025, McGarigle was named a nominee for the Broyles Award, awarded annually to the top assistant coach in college football. McGarigle's defense allowed 19.8 points per game as a team, ranking sixth in the Big Ten and 23rd in FBS. It marked the best scoring defense by a Northwestern team since 2020, and the best in a full season since 2015. Northwestern’s defense ranks fourth in the Big Ten, producing 20 total takeaways during the season (11 fumble recoveries, 9 interceptions), while the team’s 11 fumble recoveries led the Big Ten and ranked 11th in the nation. Seven Wildcats on the defensive side earned All-Big Ten accolades in 2025, the most selections since 2017, headlined by Robert Fitzgerald earning Second Team All-Big Ten recognition (Coaches) and Uihlein earning Third Team honors (Coach and Media). During his first season as coor