David Braun is still coming to terms with the events and circumstances that made him Northwestern’s interim head coach.
“I never could have imagined, nor did I desire, to become a head coach under these types of circumstances. That said, I’m honored to lead this group moving forward,” Braun said at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Braun was hired as offensive coordinator in January and elevated when Northwestern fired Pat Fitzgerald in response to hazing and assault allegations made by former players. The pattern of alleged incidents prompted lawsuits and the university launched a new follow-up investigation due to the seriousness and sensitivity of multiple claims.
Braun said he met with every player one-on-one and plans to remain attentive and available for direct conversations with each player. He shared with the team the circumstances that made him a coach isn’t a “dream-like scenario” but encouraged what he considers a galvanized group to dig in and fight for each other.
He said the team is still facing “adversity” but sidestepped questions related to hazing within the program.
“When Coach Fitz offered our family the opportunity to come to Northwestern back in January, and I started work on January 16 of this year, my wife and I had to pinch ourselves,” Braun said. “An opportunity to coordinate in the Big Ten, to work for a man like Coach Fitz, to be close to my family in Wisconsin, to be a part of the Big Ten, and the opportunity to mentor young men that value what Northwestern stands for — a world-class education competing on the biggest stage in college football. This, obviously, has been a very difficult time for our team, our staff, our current and former players impacted, our alumni, the university and the broader Northwestern community.”
Players were dismissed from any media responsibilities on Wednesday. Typically, three players accompany each coach for Big Ten media interviews but linebacker Bryce Gallagher, defensive back Rod Heard II and wide receiver Bryce Kirtz, released a joint statement to announce they made the decision not to attend Big Ten Media Day after talking to Braun and their families.
Four lawsuits have been filed by former players, and Northwestern officials admitted some of the allegations are new or weren’t known at the time of the previous investigation that led to Fitzgerald being suspended, then fired.
“The hazing included forced participation, nudity and sexualized acts of a degrading nature, in clear violation of Northwestern policies and values,” Northwestern president Michael Schill said in a July 10 statement.
Northwestern begins the season Sept. 3 at Rutgers. Braun said the Wildcats will be ready.
“I have found a team that has come together, that truly loves one another and has an incredible resolve to attack the 2023 season and write their own story about overcoming adversity. Let me be clear, this football team will be ready to go,” he said.
–Field Level Media
