Report: Northwestern parts ways with OC Mike Bajakian, two other assistants

Northwestern has parted ways with multiple assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, The Inside Zone’s Matt Fortuna reported. Bajakian’s departure was expected, and ABC’s Sean McDonough confirmed it on the broadcast during last week’s Las Vegas Bowl.

New Wildcats coach David Braun is also moving on from Jeff Genyk — the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach — as well as director of sports performance for football Jay Hooten.

Braun took over as Northwestern’s interim head coach this year and received the full-time role in mid-November. His elevation came after Pat Fitzgerald was fired for cause following hazing allegations within the program. Bajakian, Genyk and Hooten were all hired by Fitzgerald, with Hooten serving as the longest tenured member of the staff. He came to Northwestern in 2009 and took over his role in 2011, while Genyk came on board in 2018 and Bajakian joined the program in 2020.

Now, with the bowl game in the books, Braun is making staff changes. After parting ways with Fitzgerald, the university said the rest of the staff would remain in place under Braun while he served as the interim head coach.

Northwestern’s offense ranked ninth in the Big Ten in scoring offense during Bajakian’s first season as offensive coordinator in 2020, but the Wildcats ranked 11th in the league the last three years. The Wildcats averaged 303.9 total yards per game this year as they put together a surprise 8-5 season, capped off by a victory over Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Braun also won Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for his efforts.

When Northwestern announced the decision to remove the interim tag, Braun released a statement on the decision. He first arrived in Evanston after serving as the defensive coordinator at North Dakota State, and he quickly took over the head coach duties in early July — just over a month before Week 0.

“I am truly honored for the opportunity to continue leading Northwestern’s football program,” Braun said. “Over the past five months, having the chance to lead this group has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Moving forward, my mission is to build on this positive momentum, aiming to create one of the best experiences in college football for our student-athletes.

“To the entire Northwestern community, your support is the backbone of our success,” Braun continued. “Northwestern holds a special place in the collegiate landscape, with its top-notch academics, Big Ten football tradition and, most importantly, the incredible people within our University and athletic department.”