Interim head coach David Braun deflects question about Northwestern retaining assistants allegedly involved in hazing
Northwestern interim head coach David Braun, who took over for an ousted Pat Fitzgerald amid a hazing scandal, was pressed at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday about retaining assistant coaches who were allegedly taking part in or knowledgeable of the hazing. Braun demurred on their ongoing employment, deflecting to the ongoing investigation.
Fitzgerald was fired in early July after mounting public pressure stemming from an internal report that substantiated many of the hazing allegations. However, a number of assistant coaches who remain with the program have been alleged to have taken part in the hazing or to have known about it.
“I won’t speak to current allegations. Fully trust that our university is going through a process and will make decisions based on the facts. What I can speak to is how proud I am of the way that our team has come together with all this stuff swirling around our football team. And there’s absolute resolve and confidence from our leadership within our team of how we’re going to move forward,” Braun said.
A recent lawsuit filed against the university by a former player alleges a number of coaches in various roles took part in, witnessed, or even organized activities related to hazing.
The lawsuit alleges that associate head coach Matt McPherson had witnessed naked pull ups, that a pair of assistant coaches were “ran” — one of the apparently common hazing activities where a group would allegedly dry hump someone being pinned down — that strength coaches organized a belly flop contest where punishment was getting “ran,” and that director of football performance Jay Hooten was also involved.
Braun is representing Northwestern solo on Wednesday, as the trio of players slated to represent the program decided not to travel to Indianapolis to be available for media.
Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg apparently sat down for an interview with Big Ten Network. That interview is to be aired during media days at some point.
Braun discussed his desire to move forward from the hazing scandal during his opening statement.
“This obviously has been a very difficult time for our team,” Braun said. “Our staff, our current and former players impacted, our alumni, the university and the broader Northwestern community. I am grateful to the Northwestern leadership and Dr. Gragg for entrusting me with leading this program moving forward. The circumstances surrounding our family’s opportunity and being elevated to the interim head coach were not dream life scenarios. But they have done one thing. They have crystallized our family’s purpose as a family, our mission, (we) believe that football is the ultimate vehicle to have a positive impact on young men.
“Our number one priority moving forward will be ensuring that the student athlete experience for the young men that we coach and mentor is just that. The ultimate student athlete experience with the evolving landscape of college football and there being more emphasis put into talent acquisition, transit, transactional relationships, we have an opportunity.”