Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is supportive of Rick Court, the Maryland strength and conditioning coach who is facing allegations of verbally abusing and humiliating players.
Fitzgerald's first two seasons with the Bulldogs coincided with the two years Court was leading the strength and conditioning program for then-Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen. Fitzgerald told The Associated Press that Court, who was placed on paid leave Saturday by Maryland, worked players hard but was not a bully.
''They were definitely tough workouts, but ultimately he wasn't out to get anybody,'' Fitzgerald said. ''He wasn't out to hurt anyone. His job is to make us physically fit and ready for the season and that's exactly what he did. From what I remember, he never really went over the line or did anything crazy like that.''
