Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern reportedly hiring DC of FCS powerhouse
Pat Fitzgerald is overhauling his coaching staff after a disastrous 2022 campaign. That includes a new defensive coordinator, replacing Jim O’Neil after two seasons at Northwestern.
Things have not been the same since longtime DC Mike Hankwitz retired after 2020, and Fitzgerald is looking for the right coach to turn around the Wildcat defense. According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Fitzgerald has found his man out of the FCS ranks.
Rittenberg reports on Monday that Northwestern is preparing to hire David Braun out of North Dakota State. Braun has been the DC for the Bison since 2019 while also coaching safeties for the team. He has previous stops at Northern Iowa, UC Davis and Winona State.
Sources: #Northwestern is set to hire David Braun as defensive coordinator. He has held the same post at North Dakota State since 2019.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 9, 2023
We will see if Braun is the right person to turn things around for the Wildcats.