Northwestern extends football coach David Braun’s contract through 2031
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Northwestern gave football coach David Braun a three-year contract extension just one game into the 2026 season.
The university on Thursday announced a new deal that pushes Braun’s contract through 2031. Braun is 20-19 with two bowl victories in his fourth season as head coach, including 1-0 this year after a win over FCS power South Dakota State on Sept. 5. The Wildcats had a bye in Week 2.
Braun arrived at Northwestern in 2023 to be the defensive coordinator under Pat Fitzgerald, but he was promoted to interim head coach in July of that year after the school fired Fitzgerald amid a hazing scandal. Northwestern removed the interim tag in November 2023 during an 8-5 season for which Braun was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. His original deal ran through 2028.
Northwestern went 4-8 in Braun’s second season but improved to 7-6 with a bowl win over Central Michigan in 2025.
In a statement, athletic director Mark Jackson, who was hired in 2024, called Braun “the right leader today for Northwestern football and for the years to come.”
“He recruits young men of high character who embrace our elite academic environment and who compete in the most competitive conference in the country,” Jackson said. “David develops our student-athletes at a time when retaining talent has never been harder, and they choose to remain Wildcats when other options appear. He does it with a rare combination of relentless competitiveness and integrity.”
Northwestern has been operating with some buzz this season as it prepares to open the new $875 million Ryan Field on Oct. 2 against Penn State. In addition to the financial backing it receives from the Ryan family, the program received a three-year, $35 million commitment from the Uihlein family this summer. And it created on-field intrigue with the offseason additions of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterback Aidan Chiles.
Northwestern also has promoted the retention of its roster from last season, with 27 of 30 players who logged more than 100 snaps returning.
But the Wildcats also have a rough Big Ten schedule that includes road games at No. 4 Indiana, No. 6 Ohio State and No. 21 Oregon and home games against No. 14 Penn State and No. 18 Iowa. They host 2-0 Colorado on Saturday in their final game at the lakefront Martin Stadium.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos