Report: Northwestern agrees to hire Skip Holtz as assistant to the head coach

Northwestern has a new addition to the coaching staff. On Monday, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported Skip Holtz will hold a special role for the Wildcats in 2023.

“Northwestern is hiring Skip Holtz as special assistant to the head coach, a source tells [On3 Sports]. Holtz has been a college head coach at Louisiana Tech, USF, ECU and UConn,” Zenitz wrote.

Holtz will provide veteran mentorship to interim head coach David Braun, who was Northwestern’s defensive coordinator last season. Braun was promoted after longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired in mid-July due to hazing allegations.

In June, Holtz was named the USFL Coach of the Year after leading the Stallions to a league-best 8-2 record. Before joining the USFL, Holtz also coached at South Carolina, Notre Dame, Florida State and Colorado State.

“All eight of our head coaches did an outstanding job this year and are worthy of being honored in the USFL’s second season. But after overcoming early season injuries to key players and still leading the Birmingham Stallions to the League’s best record, Skip Holtz earned being named the 2023 USFL Coach of the Year,” said Daryl Johnston, president of football operations.

“Skip has created a great culture within the Stallions family and his ability to motivate and develop players is impressive. His record after two regular seasons is a remarkable 17-3. He’s not only a winner on the field, but he’s been an outstanding ambassador to our fans. Skip is integral to the success of the USFL, and we’re grateful for his belief in our mission to deliver quality football to our fans.”

ESPN’s Pat Thamel provided additional information on the intriguing hire.

“Northwestern has agreed in principle to hire Skip Holtz as the special assistant to the head coach for the 2023 season. Holtz’s assignment is temporary and won’t interfere with his USFL job as the head coach of the Birmingham Stallions,” Thamel wrote.

David Braun’s conversation with players

Despite the season opener closing in on the Wildcats, the football isn’t Braun’s No. 1 priority. Instead, the interim head coach is focusing on ensuring his players are in a good place after the recent scandal.

“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 at Big Ten Media Days. “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.”

Northwestern will kick off its 2023 campaign against Rutgers on Sept. 3.

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this article.