Posted by: Josh Kendall on January 4, 2013

Pat Fitzgerald just led Northwestern to its first bowl win since 1949. That's not the ultimate goal, though. In fact, Fitzgerald is not shy about sharing much larger aspirations.

"We expect to be Big Ten and national champions and to have the No.1 graduation rate in the country when we do it," Fitzgerald told ESPN's Mike & Mike in the Morning. "We have the No. 1 graduation and we're a couple plays away from the next step. That's where we need to go. If they can do it in South Bend, we can do it in Evanston. There is no question in our mind that is our next step, and that's what we need to do."

The Wildcats had been to five straight bowls before breaking through with this win.

"It means everything to all us," he said. "I am just very thankful. We're just getting started. This is just the beginning."

Fitzgerald was very emotional immediately after his team's 34-20 win over Mississippi State. He called the win "the next step on the way to be champions."

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Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com