Northwestern Expected to Hire David Braun As Permanent Coach, per Report

As interim coach, he has led the team to a 5–5 record.

Northwestern is expected to hire interim coach David Braun as the school’s permanent coach, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The team is 5–5 this season under Braun after finishing 1–11 last year. 

Braun was hired as the Wildcats’ new defensive coordinator in January 2023 but was named interim coach after Pat Fitzgerald was fired on July 10 following hazing allegations in the program that were reported by The Daily Northwestern. While Fitzgerald stated that he was unaware of hazing within the program, multiple lawsuits have been filed against him in relation to the situation.

This will be Braun’s first coaching job after several stints as an assistant with Winona State, Culver-Stockton, UC Davis, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State. Braun was with the Bisons for four seasons and was a key part in their two FCS National Championship runs in 2019 and ’21. 

Northwestern interim coach David Braun looks on during the fourth quarter against Wisconsin :: Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports

If Northwestern officially removes Braun’s interim tag this week, he’ll coach his first game as the official leader of the team against Purdue on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.