The way coach David Braun supports his players prompted Northwestern to remove the “interim” label from his job title, school President Michael Schill said Thursday.
“I have been very clear that at Northwestern the well-being of our students comes first,” Schill said. “It is only by prioritizing our students’ health, safety and well-being that we can enable excellence on the field, excellence in the classroom, that we can encourage the personal and intellectual growth that is fundamental to our mission as one of the greatest universities in the world. Anyone who has heard or talked with Coach Braun knows that he embodies these principles in just a short time since arriving at Northwestern.”
Schill spoke at a news conference a day after the school announced it is sticking with Braun beyond this season.
The Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) are one win away from bowl eligibility heading into a home game against Purdue on Saturday. They have more wins than in the previous two seasons combined, after going 3-9 in 2021 and 1-11 last year.
Braun 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 for the Wildcats.
