Packers expected to request interview with Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald for head-coaching job

The Green Bay Packers are expected to request an interview with Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald for their vacant head-coaching job, a league source told ESPN.

However, after being asked about the Packers' interest in talking to him following his team's 31-20 win over Utah in the Holiday Bowl on Monday night, Fitzgerald told Fox Sports that he's not leaving Northwestern.

"Hashtag Go Cats, man. I'm not going anywhere. This is home forever," Fitzgerald said. He later added, "I'm a Wildcat for life."

But in the event that he does decide to interview, Fitzgerald certainly would be comfortable with the man leading the hiring process for the Packers. Packers CEO and president Mark Murphy was Northwestern's athletic director when Fitzgerald was hired as the head coach at his alma mater in 2006.

Murphy and Fitzgerald have great respect and admiration for each other and will have the chance to discuss a reunion that would be a radical shift for Fitzgerald, who has been widely regarded as one of college football's top coaches.

Green Bay already has begun interviewing candidates for its next head coach, speaking with formerDetroit LionsandIndianapolis Coltshead coach Jim Caldwell and former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano.

The Packers are seeking a replacement for Mike McCarthy, who was fired on Dec. 2 after Green Bay lost at home in stunning fashion to the last-place Arizona Cardinals.