David Braun details reality of Northwestern situation, opportunity as head coach

Northwestern interim football coach David Braun gave a dose of reality being in his position while at Big Ten Media Days.

Braun took over for Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired amid a hazing scandal within the program. It wasn’t the ideal way to get a promotion, but it is what it is, as the kids say. 

Here is the best of what Braun said in his opening statement to reporters live from Big Ten Media Days. It included the opportunity he took to join the school, how he plans on moving forward and what Northwestern can do on the football field.

On taking over Northwestern under these circumstances

“I never could have imagined nor did I desire to become a head coach under these types of circumstances,” Braun said, “That said, I’m honored to lead this group moving forward … I dreamt of playing in the Big Ten. That never became a reality. But an opportunity to work in the Big Ten, coach in the Big Ten and coach and mentor these young men is something that I don’t take lightly.”

On thanking Pat Fitzgerald

“Again, this opportunity is a dream come true,” Braun said. “To be a part of Big Ten football, I say all this to say that 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 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.”

On moving forward from hazing scandal

“This obviously has been a very difficult time for our team,” Braun said. “Our staff, our current and former players impacted, our alumni, the university and the broader Northwestern community. I am grateful to the Northwestern leadership and Dr. Gragg for entrusting me with leading this program moving forward. The circumstances surrounding our family’s opportunity and being elevated to the interim head coach were not dream life scenarios. But they have done one thing. They have crystallized our family’s purpose as a family, our mission, (we) believe that football is the ultimate vehicle to have a positive impact on young men.

“Our number one priority moving forward will be ensuring that the student athlete experience for the young men that we coach and mentor is just that. The ultimate student athlete experience with the evolving landscape of college football and there being more emphasis put into talent acquisition, transit, transactional relationships, we have an opportunity.”

On what he expects from Northwestern on the football field

“Now to talk some football,” Braun said. “Very excited about what we have coming back on the offensive side of the ball. There’s a great deal of depth at all positions. The loss of Peter Skronski on the O-line will certainly be a big hit. But I truly believe under offensive staff, our O-line has a chance to show that depth, play with depth and find ways to establish the run in the Big. The tight end group is one of those deeper tight end groups I’ve been around, and that’s saying a lot after coming from North Dakota State …

“The quarterback battle will be something that will be fun to see as the fall moves forward, but with the addition of Ben Bryant, the return of Brendan Sullivan and a young man from the south side of Chicago, Jack Lausch, will provide a great deal of competition in fall camp.”

On playing complimentary football

“And it’s not going to just be our defense,” Braun said. “It won’t just be our offense. It’s going to require complimentary football that puts us into situations to win in the fourth quarter. Again, let me be clear, through all these one-on-one meetings, seeing our team the last two weeks. I firmly believe that this group has a demeanor, has a brotherhood and has a resolve. That there’s reasons to be very excited about the story that they will write this fall.”