Northwestern Locks In Coach David Braun With Long Term Extension

A Long Term Commitment

Northwestern is making a major commitment to head coach David Braun. The school has extended his contract by three years, keeping him locked in through the 2031 season. Along with the extra years, the 41 year old coach is getting a significant raise.

Braun is currently in his fourth season with the program and his third as the permanent head coach. He first took over as the interim coach in July 2023 after Pat Fitzgerald was fired. By November of that year, Northwestern made him the permanent head coach. He went on to win Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.

Building a Winning Culture

Braun has already made history with the Wildcats. He has 20 wins and 19 losses at Northwestern. He became the first Wildcats coach to secure a bowl appearance in two of his first three seasons.

His 19 wins and 11 Big Ten victories in his first three seasons are the most by any Northwestern coach in that span. It is a massive rise for a coach who had not coached at a Power 4 program until Fitzgerald hired him as a defensive coordinator in January 2023.

Athletic director Mark Jackson made it clear that Braun is the right man for the job. "David Braun is the right leader today for Northwestern football and for the years to come," Jackson said.

Big Investments in Football

This extension is just one part of Northwestern's major push to build its football program. The school is preparing for the October 2 opening of the new Ryan Field, which is an 875 million dollar stadium project.

The school has also hired former NFL and college coach Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator after the 2025 season. Additionally, the program recently received a three year, 35 million dollar commitment from the Uihlein family.

What it means for the next game

Colorado Buffaloes at Northwestern Wildcats (College Football, Sat, 19 Sep): Northwestern Wildcats win 61%, Colorado Buffaloes win 39%; projected score Northwestern Wildcats 26, Colorado Buffaloes 22. Our safest pick: Northwestern to win.

Northwestern Wildcats at Indiana Hoosiers (College Football, Sat, 26 Sep): Indiana Hoosiers win 97%, Northwestern Wildcats win 3%; projected score Indiana Hoosiers 40, Northwestern Wildcats 14. Our safest pick: Northwestern +36.5.