David Braun says Northwestern has responded to hazing scandal in 'inspiring fashion'
In his first public appearance since taking control of the football program amid the school's hazing scandal, Northwestern interim coach David Braun admitted the circumstances surrounding his promotion are not a "dream-like scenario" but the team has responded "in an absolutely inspiring fashion."
Speaking at Big Ten media days in Chicago, Braun declined to speak to the raft of allegations from former Northwestern student-athletes but said the whirlwind following longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald's dismissal earlier this month has "all been very emotional."
"Highs and lows," he said. "But to know that our family has the full support of our players means everything. It’s a special group of young men."
Moving forward, he said, the program's top priority "will be ensuring the student-athlete experience for the young men we coach and mentor is just that, the ultimate student-athlete experience."
"Lot of people have been impacted by decisions made, decisions that have been made over the course of the last couple weeks. And our guys in our facility are going through a lot. We have an opportunity to either run from that or an opportunity to stare that adversity in the face."
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Braun was hired by Fitzgerald this past winter as Northwestern's new defensive coordinator after four seasons at the same position at Championship Subdivision program North Dakota State, which won two national championships during that span.
Braun was hired by Fitzgerald this past winter as Northwestern's new defensive coordinator after four seasons at the same position at Championship Subdivision North Dakota State, which won two national championships during that span.
While he had never coached in the Bowl Subdivision nor been a head coach on any level, Braun was promoted to interim coach due in large part to his lack of previous connection to the program and the scandal that has embroiled the university and broader college athletics.
In multiple lawsuits naming the school, Fitzgerald, athletics director Derrick Gragg and others as defendants, former athletes have accused the university of ignoring instances of hazing, racism, retaliation and sexual abuse.
The most successful coach in modern program history and one of the most decorated defenders to ever play in the Big Ten, Fitzgerald won 110 games over 17 years, including a pair of division championships, but sputtered to 4-20 mark across the past two seasons.
The Wildcats were picked to finish a distant last in the Big Ten East in the league's annual preseason media poll conducted by Cleveland.com.
"I’ve found a team that has come together," Braun said. "A team that loves one another and has 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."