Current:Home > reviewsNorthwestern rewards coach David Braun for turnaround by removing 'interim' label -Wealth Momentum Network
Northwestern rewards coach David Braun for turnaround by removing 'interim' label
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:36:30
CHICAGO (AP) — Northwestern rewarded coach David Braun for a remarkable turnaround following Pat Fitzgerald's firing in the wake of a hazing and abuse scandal by removing the “interim” label from his job title on Wednesday.
Hired in January as the team's defensive coordinator, Braun and the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) are in a position few would have envisioned.
“I am truly honored for the opportunity to continue leading Northwestern’s football program,” Braun said in a statement. “Over the past five months, having the chance to lead this group has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Moving forward, my mission is to build on this positive momentum, aiming to create one of the best experiences in college football for our student-athletes.”
Braun seemed more like a place-holder given his background when he was elevated to interim head coach three days after Fitzgerald was fired, ending a 17-year tenure. He had never coached at an FBS program let alone led one, but after spending the past four seasons as defensive coordinator at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, he has been a steadying force at Northwestern.
The calls to stick with him grew louder in recent weeks.
Northwestern has more wins than in the previous two seasons combined, after going 3-9 in 2021 and 1-11 last year, and is one away from bowl eligibility. Players made their feelings clear, giving full-throated endorsements after the Wildcats won at Wisconsin on Saturday. They even had #RemoveTheTag circulating on social media.
“He’s never wavered,” said quarterback Ben Bryant, who led Northwestern to the 24-10 win over the Badgers. “He stepped in a really difficult situation and has taken us to this point. I think we still have a lot to go, but he’s the guy that everyone looks to, to lead and motivate.”
Braun is the first Northwestern coach with five wins in his first season since Walter McCornack went 10-1-3 in 1903. And he has a chance to become the first to finish above .500 in his debut year since Pappy Waldorf led the 1935 team to a 4-3-1 record. The Wildcats were a combined 4-20 in 2021 and 2022.
“We asked Dave to support our student-athletes this season, and he has done an exceptional job,” school president Michael Schill said. “Under his guidance, Northwestern’s football team has exceeded expectations on the field and excelled in the classroom. The turnaround he has led, under very difficult circumstances, is nothing short of phenomenal.”
Northwestern is facing more than a dozen lawsuits across multiple sports with allegations including sexual abuse of players by teammates, as well as racist comments by coaches and race-based assaults. Baseball coach Jim Foster was fired July 13 amid allegations of a toxic culture that included bullying and abusive behavior.
Fitzgerald, by far Northwestern's winningest coach, is suing his alma mater for $130 million, saying it wrongfully fired him. He was let go three days after the school announced a two-week suspension without pay following an investigation by attorney Maggie Hickey of law firm ArentFox Schiff. That probe did not find “sufficient” evidence that the coaching staff knew about ongoing hazing, but concluded there were “significant opportunities” to find out about it.
veryGood! (8465)
Related
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Sophie Turner Says She Found Out Joe Jonas Filed for Divorce From Media
- Marines say F-35 feature to protect pilot could explain why it flew 60 miles on its own
- Choose the champions of vegan and gluten-free dining! Vote now on USA TODAY 10Best
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Man dies after swarm of bees attacks him on porch of his own home
- 82nd Airborne Division Chorus wins over judges, lands spot in 'AGT' finale: 'America needs you'
- Manslaughter charge added against Connecticut teen who crashed into police cruiser, killed officer
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Parents, are you overindulging your kid? This 4-question test can help you find out
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Moose headbutts and stomps on woman who was walking her dog in Colorado
- Manhunt underway for child sex offender who escaped from hospital
- Rupert Murdoch, creator of Fox News, stepping down as head of News Corp. and Fox Corp.
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Alex Murdaugh pleads guilty to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering
- Former fashion mogul pleads not guilty in Canadian sex-assault trial
- UK prosecutors have charged 5 Bulgarians with spying for Russia. They are due in court next week
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
DeSantis unveils energy plan in Texas, aims to lower price of gas to $2 per gallon
DeSantis unveils energy plan in Texas, aims to lower price of gas to $2 per gallon
Biometrics could be the key to protecting your digital ID: 5 Things podcast
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
California sues anti-abortion organizations for unproven treatment to reverse medication abortions
Former US Sen. Dick Clark, an Iowa Democrat known for helping Vietnam War refugees, has died at 95
Man charged in 2 cold case murders after DNA links him to scenes