Northwestern football adds Jerry Neuheisel to staff after Chip Kelly hire
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Northwestern football entered the new year with another notable coaching move, adding to the Wildcats coaching staff shortly after finalizing the Chip Kelly hire. The sequence reflects a continued effort to reshape the offense as the program builds toward the 2026 season following a resilient 2025 campaign.
The Wildcats capped off their final game of the 2025 year with a dominant 34–7 win over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. The victory marked the program’s sixth consecutive bowl win and capped a season played largely at a temporary lakeside venue while the new Ryan Field remains under construction. With that foundation in place, Northwestern has shifted its focus toward refining the offense and stabilizing the quarterback position.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to outline how Northwestern managed to land a coach with direct familiarity in Kelly’s offensive system. Rittenberg noted that the former UCLA quarterback and graduate assistant’s experience working under Kelly played a significant role in the decision, providing continuity as the staff continues to take shape.
Neuheisel arrives after serving on staff at UCLA, where he worked with under before remaining with the program through a subsequent coaching transition. During the 2025 season, he assumed offensive play-calling responsibilities, adding practical experience that aligns with Northwestern’s current needs as the roster turns over at quarterback.
For Northwestern, the addition of a quarterbacks coach to the coaching staff represents a calculated step rather than a sweeping overhaul. The move adds system familiarity and continuity while reinforcing an offense that showed flashes in 2025 but lacked consistency, particularly against Big Ten opponents. As the Wildcats transition toward a more stable home environment, the staff is prioritizing quarterback development as a foundational piece in shaping the program’s next offensive identity.
The move aligns with the program’s broader effort to stabilize its offense after finishing the 2025 campaign just a game game over .500 at 7–6. With key roster turnover ahead and a reshaped coaching staff in place, the Wildcats and their fan base will be watching closely as the offense takes form entering the 2026 season.
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