Pat Fitzgerald (@coachfitz51), a PCA National Advisory Board Member, is the Northwestern University Head Football Coach. Prior to coaching, his College Football Hall of Fame career included twice being named an All-American, twice winning both the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik Awards, and leading Northwestern to back-to-back Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl appearance in the mid-90's.

In this clip, Fitzgerald recognizes parents as an important part of a student-athlete's support network, working with coaches to help players develop as people. He offers to stay available for parents, and when conversation turns to playing time, he will ask whether the parents have talked to their son.

Fitzgerald says that in his program it is very clear where players stand in terms of playing time and what they must do to improve and earn more playing time. That level of transparency can improve the quality of conversation on the topic.