“He has gained the respect of the student-athletes, the staff, parents, alumni and our fans.” “Coach Braun has rallied the team under very adverse circumstances,” he said. Gragg said Braun “embodies the values of our athletic department: respect, integrity, service and excellence” and has “earned this position.' The calls to stick with him grew louder in recent weeks.

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 only coach younger in the Big Ten is Purdue's Ryan Walters, who is 37.īraun 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.

Derrick Gragg, on Thursday afternoon.Īt 38, Braun is the 10th-youngest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He is scheduled to address the media, along with Schill and athletic director Dr. 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.”īraun is the school's 30th head football coach.

“Over the past five months, having the chance to lead this group has been the opportunity of a lifetime. “I am truly honored for the opportunity to continue leading Northwestern’s football program,” Braun said in a statement. 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. 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.

Coach key holder with rocket