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Key Northwestern assistant reportedly leaving for NFL position
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Northwestern is expected to lose a key assistant on the offensive side of the ball to an NFL role.
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Northwestern running backs coach Lou Ayeni is leaving the program. He is expected to be hired by the Denver Broncos for the same role heading into the 2023 season.
Ayeni also has stints at Iowa State and Toledo while also interviewing for the Kansas head coaching job in recent years and is highly regarded for his work coaching running backs. He joins Northwestern cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith who is also leaving for an NFL position with the Arizona Cardinals.
Ayeni also served as Northwestern’s recruiting coordinator. He has coached current NFL running backs like David Montgomery (Bears) and Kareem Hunt (Browns). Second Northwestern assistant to depart for NFL in recent days, as CBs coach Ryan Smith went to the Cardinals.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) February 27, 2023
Ayeni originally joined the Northwestern program in 2018 and has helped coach and develop Cam Porter, Isaiah Bowser and Evan Hull, among others. He was also the recruiting coordinator for the Wildcats.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.