Northwestern interim head coach David Braun details early conversations with players: 'nothing to do with football'

Northwestern interim head coach David Braun made his first appearance before media since taking over the program for the ousted Pat Fitzgerald in mid-July. And speaking to reporters at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, Braun shared that he’s still getting up to speed with meeting all the players.

Originally hired shortly after last season to serve as the defensive coordinator at Northwestern, Braun is now in the head chair. It’s an adjustment that’s ongoing, and one he’s listening to the players throughout.

“To be clear, I haven’t talked with every single guy on our roster. We’re still working through a few. But a vast majority, yes. There’s been an open conversation. An invitation for them to really share with me what they’re experiencing, especially on the offensive side of the ball, just getting to know these guys, who they are,” Braun said.

So far, the conversations have had little to do with football. Only half a year into his stint on campus and now needing to coach a season while handling the fallout of a hazing scandal, Braun is focused now on forging a path forward that Northwestern players, coaches and others can get on board with.

“It has had nothing to do with football. I have not asked them any questions about anything related to before I arrived, but we have put together a path of how we’re going to move forward,” Braun said. “But most importantly, just really trying to meet these guys where they’re at and make sure that there’s clear expectations of how we’re going to move forward.”

Braun demurred about retaining holdovers from Fitzgerald’s staff

Braun demurred on their ongoing employment, deflecting to the ongoing investigation.

Fitzgerald was fired in early July after mounting public pressure stemming from an internal report that substantiated many of the hazing allegations. However, a number of assistant coaches who remain with the program have been alleged to have taken part in the hazing or to have known about it.

“I won’t speak to current allegations. Fully trust that our university is going through a process and will make decisions based on the facts. What I can speak to is how proud I am of the way that our team has come together with all this stuff swirling around our football team. And there’s absolute resolve and confidence from our leadership within our team of how we’re going to move forward,” Braun said.

A recent lawsuit filed against the university by a former player alleges a number of coaches in various roles took part in, witnessed, or even organized activities related to hazing.

The lawsuit alleges that associate head coach Matt McPherson had witnessed naked pull ups, that a pair of assistant coaches were “ran” — one of the apparently common hazing activities where a group would allegedly dry hump someone being pinned down — that strength coaches organized a belly flop contest where punishment was getting “ran,” and that director of football performance Jay Hooten was also involved.