If Northwestern hires Braun how disappointed would you be?

[Eurocat]

Guys come on- Don’t you want to watch a competitive Northwestern football team again? That will NEVER happen with David Braun leading the program in a powerhouse Big Ten. Ask yourself this. What power 5 school would hire David Braun as head coach. Answer: Zero.

He needs to bring his own recruits in? The guy has NEVER recruited FBS players before. The talent will likely get even worse under Braun.

The division is bad enough this year where he could possibly win 1 more big ten game. However the divisional format is going away. If Northwestern wants to be competitive they need a qualified Big Ten level head coach. Either someone who has years of experience as a head coach or a coordinator that has paid his dues and built connections to high schools and has the ability to put together a strong staff.

Braun has done a good job and this year will open up opportunities for him. There will be a number of P5 DC jobs or FCS/G5 head coaching jobs he can interview for if he wants to go that route.

Again: nice guy. Appreciate what he’s done here, but he’s not a qualified power five head coach.

So let me get this straight.

You just joined rivals to post - it says you are "New Member".

Then you ask "what do you guys think?"

Then after we respond you lambaste a coach who has done a solid job in difficult cirumstances.

All the stuff you write could be written about any new first time coach. And a lot of it is nonsense. "Built connections to High Schools" so what? You get hired you build them and by the way his former school recruited nationally. Just in the first few kids I see Florida, Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and even New York.

https://gobison.com/sports/football/roster

You have a right to your own opinion of course, but are you Urban Meyer's agent or something because you really seem to not like a guy who might turn out to be the right man for our job.

 

[NUCat320]

JMU has built its recent success mostly with its defense.

That’s fine. And their head coach is an OC prior to becoming a head coach. And now he’s a good head coach, which is a different skill than being a good coordinator.

It’s tough to thread the needle, but it’s worth finding a way for Braun to stick around, and a ‘few years down the road’ carrot seems a good thing.

(Honestly, I’m not sure how all those things have worked out. They’re mostly a thing of the past, but Jimbo was a longtime coach in waiting at FSU, and that worked fine. Penn State’s succession plan went less well.)

 

[Eurocat]

The new head coach wouldn't have hired Braun, he would have inherited him. Braun wouldn't be his guy. It would be very tricky.

I agree C. I find myself scratching my head when people say we should not hire him as HC but "keep him on". That almost never works. "We didn't think you were good enough for the big serious job, why don't you stick around though for this second tier coordinator job, good luck to ya!". Has that ever worked? Has an NFL team ever fired a coach (and make no mistake, we would effectively be firing Braun) fired a coach and then said "but stick around as OC/DC, that stuff you are good at".

It's like a girlfriend breaking up with you while saying "but you really are a great guy, seriously, you are, so let's stay friends".

Not happening!

The only "one in a million" way I could see it working is if we hired Holtz, put Braun in as DC and had in both contracts the clause that this is a four or five year thing and after that time Braun takes over in 2028. I find the chance of that happening to be as close to zero as possible, but it is the only way I can see Braun staying for a time being non HC. And we would have to pay him a lot for his DC work too.

But why talk about one in a million hypotheticals. That will never happen. Either Braun is HC or he is not here next year. For now, I like what I see, for now I would be inclined to keep him, but let's let the year play out.

 

[Pulmocat]

I agree C. I find myself scratching my head when people say we should not hire him as HC but "keep him on". That almost never works. "We didn't think you were good enough for the big serious job, why don't you stick around though for this second tier coordinator job, good luck to ya!". Has that ever worked? Has an NFL team ever fired a coach (and make no mistake, we would effectively be firing Braun) fired a coach and then said "but stick around as OC/DC, that stuff you are good at".

It's like a girlfriend breaking up with you while saying "but you really are a great guy, seriously, you are, so let's stay friends".

Not happening!

The only "one in a million" way I could see it working is if we hired Holtz, put Braun in as DC and had in both contracts the clause that this is a four or five year thing and after that time Braun takes over in 2028. I find the chance of that happening to be as close to zero as possible, but it is the only way I can see Braun staying for a time being non HC. And we would have to pay him a lot for his DC work too.

But why talk about one in a million hypotheticals. That will never happen. Either Braun is HC or he is not here next year. For now, I like what I see, for now I would be inclined to keep him, but let's let the year play out.

Perhaps we should hire his former boss as hc and keep him as DC. Bring the OC too. The Bison just win. Their O scores a lot. They know what a good under the radar QB looks like... See Trey Lance. And they play solid fundamental D

 

[Styre]

I agree C. I find myself scratching my head when people say we should not hire him as HC but "keep him on". That almost never works. "We didn't think you were good enough for the big serious job, why don't you stick around though for this second tier coordinator job, good luck to ya!". Has that ever worked? Has an NFL team ever fired a coach (and make no mistake, we would effectively be firing Braun) fired a coach and then said "but stick around as OC/DC, that stuff you are good at".

We just had a commit say "[Braun] let me know he might not have the same job as when he offered me, which I'm cool with," so it certainly seems like Braun knows he might only have this job for this season.

 

[JoeWildcat]

Not a bit. If he finishes this season with reasonable respectability, he should have the chance to condtinue. i believe Braun is the real deal. Give him that chance. Today proved two things--NU has a good defense, resurrected from two years of Fitz and JON horrible, and that NU has a bad to terrible offense, which Fitz relentlessly drove into the ground for years. That is not on Braun

Totally agree. I think Braun has earned the opportunity to bring in his own assistant coaches, especially on offense, and do his own recruiting. We have seen that he can win 3+ games with a depleted lineup. He should do better with his own players.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I think it's possible to both be extremely impressed with how Braun has handled the challenge this year while still not thinking he is the right guy to be back next year. He has done an admirable job in both keeping the team together and clearly improving the defense. That said, the job of running a major college football program beyond this year is a much bigger job for which there is no way he is qualified yet.

While it sounds nice to have him come back as DC, as it seems he's done a great job, I can't imagine how that would work. How does that dynamic work with the new head coach? Would there always be this tension between the new head coach and the previous head coach who is still there? Do the players get confused about which voice they want to follow? The new head coach wouldn't have hired Braun, he would have inherited him. Braun wouldn't be his guy. It would be very tricky.

I think this is an extraordinarily unique situation. Braun never was interviewed for the HC position. He was excited to be PROMOTED to a P5 DC. It is very different than going through the interview process beating out a plethora of candidates and being selected for the HC position. This is not the same as Braun being DEMOTED by NU to DL Coach when he was hired for DC. I have never met Braun, but he seems very self aware of his current limitations. I am not so sure returning to the DC role would be a kick to the nuts for him. A new HC should give him serious consideration for the DC job. Of course, any new HC should not be forced to retain any of the current staff. If the new HC has a more qualified DC, see ya . Harsh, but this isn’t Pop Warner and NU is at a critical point in a part to either relevance or a becoming a laughingstock.

Braun has proven to be the best option for this season. He’s done an admirable job. That does not equate to being the best person for the job long term!

 

[Jaguar 88]

More

It all depends on what you call a disaster. 3-4 wins per year and no scandals probably sounds pretty good to the current administration.

And I doubt that they are going to pay the going rate to attract someone who can turn the program around. At least not until the lawsuits are settled.

You are probably right, which is a huge disappointment for the fans, but especially for Ryan and the minor donors of the practice facility. The trajectory of the program isn't looking good, unless Braun embraces an OC that is innovative. The program needs something to attract more 4 star players, but unfortunately a first class education isn't at the forefront of what brings them in usually.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I think this is an extraordinarily unique situation. Braun never was interviewed for the HC position. He was excited to be PROMOTED to a P5 DC. It is very different than going through the interview process beating out a plethora of candidates and being selected for the HC position. This is not the same as Braun being DEMOTED by NU to DL Coach when he was hired for DC. I have never met Braun, but he seems very self aware of his current limitations. I am not so sure returning to the DC role would be a kick to the nuts for him. A new HC should give him serious consideration for the DC job. Of course, any new HC should not be forced to retain any of the current staff. If the new HC has a more qualified DC, see ya . Harsh, but this isn’t Pop Warner and NU is at a critical point in a part to either relevance or a becoming a laughingstock.

Braun has proven to be the best option for this season. He’s done an admirable job. That does not equate to being the best person for the job long term!

Yes, it is unique. The NU president is unique. It is his unique "handling" of the prior head football coach that will prove to be the biggest impediment to attracting anyone you'd actually want to replace Braun.

Think about it... these coaches know Fitzgerald and they know how any contract they sign with NU is worthless - they can be fired for anything their players are doing.
Experienced coaches who are confident in their own abilities will not want to be in that situation.

On the other hand, Braun has proven - yes proven - that he is at least a pretty good defensive coordinator. Strong hire by Fitzgerald. (Schill may have cost us another Big Ten West title.)

I'd lean toward letting Braun develop at NU - young enthusiastic guy, learning as he goes. Strong on the defensive side of the ball. Thats better than a re-tread with no upside.

But Schill needs to go.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Yes, it is unique. The NU president is unique. It is his unique "handling" of the prior head football coach that will prove to be the biggest impediment to attracting anyone you'd actually want to replace Braun.

Think about it... these coaches know Fitzgerald and they know how any contract they sign with NU is worthless - they can be fired for anything their players are doing.
Experienced coaches who are confident in their own abilities will not want to be in that situation.

On the other hand, Braun has proven - yes proven - that he is at least a pretty good defensive coordinator. Strong hire by Fitzgerald. (Schill may have cost us another Big Ten West title.)

I'd lean toward letting Braun develop at NU - young enthusiastic guy, learning as he goes. Strong on the defensive side of the ball. Thats better than a re-tread with no upside.

But Schill needs to go.

Schill and Gragg must go now. NU will suck if they remain in power. This isn’t complicated.

 

[NUCat320]

I think this is an extraordinarily unique situation. Braun never was interviewed for the HC position. He was excited to be PROMOTED to a P5 DC. It is very different than going through the interview process beating out a plethora of candidates and being selected for the HC position. This is not the same as Braun being DEMOTED by NU to DL Coach when he was hired for DC. I have never met Braun, but he seems very self aware of his current limitations. I am not so sure returning to the DC role would be a kick to the nuts for him. A new HC should give him serious consideration for the DC job. Of course, any new HC should not be forced to retain any of the current staff. If the new HC has a more qualified DC, see ya . Harsh, but this isn’t Pop Warner and NU is at a critical point in a part to either relevance or a becoming a laughingstock.

Braun has proven to be the best option for this season. He’s done an admirable job. That does not equate to being the best person for the job long term!

I think Braun might even be *happy* to get to do a DC job only. If he wanted a head job, his name could have been in the ring across FCS programs last season.

It’s just an incredibly tough situation to hire for. But if we liked easy, or even joy, we wouldn’t support Northwestern football.

 

[CappyNU]

It’s just an incredibly tough situation to hire for. But if we liked easy, or even joy, we wouldn’t support Northwestern football.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I think Braun might even be *happy* to get to do a DC job only. If he wanted a head job, his name could have been in the ring across FCS programs last season.

It’s just an incredibly tough situation to hire for. But if we liked easy, or even joy, we wouldn’t support Northwestern football

Braun coming in as the DC and resurrecting that side of the ball would have put him in perfect position to take over for Pat Fitzgerald after 3-5 years, with Fitzgerald becoming the AD...

But Morty resigned, his highly-regarded replacement died and NU went with the runner-up.

Chaos ensued.

 

[Sheffielder]

The original question is being asked too soon and is too leading.

I agree with OP's basic assumption that Gragg and Schill probably want to do the easiest thing, which is hire Braun - a total ho-hum move on their part and they're probably set on making it if Braun gets to five (maybe six?) wins.

I will admit I'd be disappointed to see the hire without a national search and the pomp and circumstance that goes with it...otherwise I think these two idiots are signaling to the world: we're idiots, this is not a place where good coaches should want to coach and we are not bosses to whom good coaches should want to report.

I am open to Braun keeping the job (and yes...all signs point to him being a good dude who I'm proud to have leading the team right now), but it can't be on the premise of maybe he could be successful under a lengthy set of more idealized circumstances. 4-8 doesn't give me that confidence, and honestly, neither does 5-7.

And for all the bullsh*t that led us to Braun's current position, as I've stated elsewhere...Fitz landed Bryant and Henning out of the portal - it's not as though this team is coming off a two-year bowl ban and a roster of 39 scholarship players where Braun had to hold open campus tryouts and Kathy Ireland is our place kicker (anyone??) The circumstances most certainly are not ideal, but I would argue they lend themselves to a 3-4-5 win season with passable coaching - 5-7 or less does not make Braun a world beater.

 

[NUCat320]

@Sheffielder, I trust you’re not holding your breath over that ‘national search with pomp and circumstance’. If there’s one thing NU is awful at, it’s PR. But you knew that.

 

[TheC]

I think this is an extraordinarily unique situation. Braun never was interviewed for the HC position. He was excited to be PROMOTED to a P5 DC. It is very different than going through the interview process beating out a plethora of candidates and being selected for the HC position. This is not the same as Braun being DEMOTED by NU to DL Coach when he was hired for DC. I have never met Braun, but he seems very self aware of his current limitations. I am not so sure returning to the DC role would be a kick to the nuts for him.

I'm not saying Braun's ego would prevent this situation from happening. I'm suggesting the new HC's ego might prevent this. Would you want to take the job knowing your players had spent the past year with your now-inherited DC being the top voice. It might cause some issues unless the two men involved handled it very very well.

Braun has proven to be the best option for this season. He’s done an admirable job. That does not equate to being the best person for the job long term!

I think this is where I am coming down on it too.

 

[hdhntr1]

Although the guy can only do so much, and most of that appears to be on defense, he needs to be accountable at some level for the offense. No excuse for all of those penalties yesterday. Someone has to be accountable for the atrocious line play. If Jake and Anderson are that bad and cannot be fired, let them keep the title but let someone else do the actual coaching (Holtz? Idk) like OSU did when they demoted Kerry Coombs.

Despite 3 wins, the offense has had 2 functional quarters the whole year. Q3 UTEP and Q4 Minn. He must somehow do something . It is a herculean task, but the statis quo is unacceptable. Too many shite opponents to go 3-9

Didn't we hire a guy that has experience as a P5 OC as a"consultant"? Could they use him?

 

[hdhntr1]

Guys come on- Don’t you want to watch a competitive Northwestern football team again? That will NEVER happen with David Braun leading the program in a powerhouse Big Ten. Ask yourself this. What power 5 school would hire David Braun as head coach. Answer: Zero.

He needs to bring his own recruits in? The guy has NEVER recruited FBS players before. The talent will likely get even worse under Braun.

The division is bad enough this year where he could possibly win 1 more big ten game. However the divisional format is going away. If Northwestern wants to be competitive they need a qualified Big Ten level head coach. Either someone who has years of experience as a head coach or a coordinator that has paid his dues and built connections to high schools and has the ability to put together a strong staff.

Braun has done a good job and this year will open up opportunities for him. There will be a number of P5 DC jobs or FCS/G5 head coaching jobs he can interview for if he wants to go that route.

Again: nice guy. Appreciate what he’s done here, but he’s not a qualified power five head coach.

Honestly, it does seem that Braun has eventual HC capabilities, He has done OK at stop gap., but that does not mean he is ready for the full time gig now. Eventually maybe but hard to say we have the time to wait

 

[hdhntr1]

Guys come on- Don’t you want to watch a competitive Northwestern football team again? That will NEVER happen with David Braun leading the program in a powerhouse Big Ten. Ask yourself this. What power 5 school would hire David Braun as head coach. Answer: Zero.

He needs to bring his own recruits in? The guy has NEVER recruited FBS players before. The talent will likely get even worse under Braun.

The division is bad enough this year where he could possibly win 1 more big ten game. However the divisional format is going away. If Northwestern wants to be competitive they need a qualified Big Ten level head coach. Either someone who has years of experience as a head coach or a coordinator that has paid his dues and built connections to high schools and has the ability to put together a strong staff.

Braun has done a good job and this year will open up opportunities for him. There will be a number of P5 DC jobs or FCS/G5 head coaching jobs he can interview for if he wants to go that route.

Again: nice guy. Appreciate what he’s done here, but he’s not a qualified power five head coach.

Yet. I feel he can get there eventually but do we have the time to wait?

 

[hdhntr1]

I don’t think you appreciate how much Braun has had to do in the roughly 3 months since becoming head coach in the context of how much he could be expected to do with the offense.

The first month was entirely PR and damage control, being the face of the program when literally no one else was willing to go in front of a camera. Then having to re-recruit the entire roster to prevent transfers, and the incoming class to prevent decommitments,

Then hire a defensive assistant.

Then he had fall camp to pull the team together. One area to potentially critique is the seemingly prolonged selection of starting QB.

3 months ago Braun was a new DC in this program on equal footing at best with the older OC who has been here longer. What is he going to do, tell Bajakian in August that he has to redesign the offense or else? Call the touchdown play more? Perhaps Braun was under the impression that Jake’s offense of 2021-22 was at least partially hampered by Fitz’s game planning philosophy and Jake would now perform more like he did at previous stops.

TLDR, I don’t know what you expect Braun to have done in a matter of weeks to fix one of the bottom 10 offenses is college football. At least the defense had been top 25 somewhat recently. Even in our winning years the offense was 80-100 at best I think.

That, while all true, does not mean he should be our full time HC after this year. DC absolutely. but HC? Feel we need more at this point. This is not saying he cannot eventually get there. But at this point we need more than he currently has

 

[hdhntr1]

It’s pretty clear that Braun has essentially handed the offense to Bajakian to run independently and I don’t really blame him. Braun’s entire career to date has been on defense, plus he’s trying to navigate all the “other stuff” that comes with being a B1G head coach. Tough to ask him to also weigh in on and/or overhaul the offense as well. I’m not sure what other alternative he has/had, especially with Skip Holtz at least offering an offensive background in the building throughout the week.

Didn't we see something about them hiring sorta hot young OC guy as a consultant? Would that be an alternative at this point?

 

[hdhntr1]

It’s pretty clear that Braun has essentially handed the offense to Bajakian to run independently and I don’t really blame him. Braun’s entire career to date has been on defense, plus he’s trying to navigate all the “other stuff” that comes with being a B1G head coach. Tough to ask him to also weigh in on and/or overhaul the offense as well. I’m not sure what other alternative he has/had, especially with Skip Holtz at least offering an offensive background in the building throughout the week.

He really didn't have much else he could do at the time

 

[hdhntr1]

I'm not saying Braun's ego would prevent this situation from happening. I'm suggesting the new HC's ego might prevent this. Would you want to take the job knowing your players had spent the past year with your now-inherited DC being the top voice. It might cause some issues unless the two men involved handled it very very well.


I think this is where I am coming down on it too.

By now he probably realizes that there is a lot to the job that he is not quite ready for

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Didn't we see something about them hiring sorta hot young OC guy as a consultant? Would that be an alternative at this point?

Gleeson has been an analyst all year.

I don’t think you’re going to see any kind of significant change to staff the rest of the year.

 

[mesacat]

Who among us here has faith that Gragg can hire someone better to be suited to lead the program than Braun.? Not me

 

[Williesfan]

I think Coach Braun has done a commendable job. He has earned an offer. I would like to see what he could do with some time and coordinators of his choosing. I do not see any dramatic changes in the foreseeable future. Some of the litigation and the stadium need to be put to rest first.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

By now he probably realizes that there is a lot to the job that he is not quite ready for

I am 100% certain that Braun knew that when Schill fired Fitzgerald and Gragg came to Braun begging him to take the "interim head coach" position.
I am 100% certain that BRAUN told Gragg that he didn't know about all sorts of things related to being a head coach.
That's why they brought in Skip Holtz.

Braun's bosses screwed everything up.
Why criticize Braun? The guy is doing great just fielding a team that can compete, not to mention how much the defense has improved.
My suggestion is to thank him and wait to see what happens with the transfer portal. Then focus on Schill.

 

[mountaindrew]

He has done a good job, I'd retain him in a heartbeat as our DC and at some point he may make a fine head coach but unless NU wants to be the doormat of the Big Ten for the next decade, there is absolutely zero chance they should hire David Braun. NU needs an energetic proven head coach that is known to have a great eye for undervalued talent and being a top developer of talent, as a top notch recruiter at the highest levels of college football and who preferrably is known to oversee an innovative, successful QB friendly offensive scheme.

YES YES YES.

And yes, I absolutely give Braun credit for keeping the sinking ship upright, but .... c'mon guys, I'm with Corbi and HungryEyes - the acceptable standard of performance for this program has utterly plummeted, and I'm not buying. We have to CLEAN HOUSE and start over. Sorry, but the Fitz mentality of we can win with bare bones offensive production, great character, and all that other crap is STILL HERE, and has to be completely flushed down the toilet.

Its going to be hard enough for a proven, GREAT coach to come in here and overcome NIL and the psycho admissions office and get us back to what Fitz established - 8, 9 wins per year. Braun is going to get that done? Please.

I will be VERY disappointed if they keep Braun as head coach.

 

[Eurocat]

I say again, I cannot imagine a scenario where Braun is told "Sorry, we are NOT hiring you as the HC" and then he agrees to stay as DC. The only scenario of that happening - as I stated above - is if we hire Holtz and put in Braun's contract that his title is DC/Assistant Head Coach/Future Head Coach Designate. MAYBE he would agree to that.

As I said above, the idea of him not getting the HC job and just staying as DC after this year is like a girlfriend breaking up with you while saying "but you really are a great guy, so let's just agree stay friends, okay?".

Sorry to repost something I posted before but I cannot even imagine a scenario where Braun remains if he is not HC.

(Edited to add - and even more unlikely scenario but I suppose it is a "one in a thousand" possibility - Braun stays as DC if we hire the North Dakota State HC as our HC. I mean, talk about a guy up there in North Dakota saying to himself DAMN the luck. Same deal with head coach designate, etc.)

Plus the players supposedly love him and he is recruiting well, should not that matter?

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

YES YES YES.

And yes, I absolutely give Braun credit for keeping the sinking ship upright, but .... c'mon guys, I'm with Corbi and HungryEyes - the acceptable standard of performance for this program has utterly plummeted, and I'm not buying. We have to CLEAN HOUSE and start over. Sorry, but the Fitz mentality of we can win with bare bones offensive production, great character, and all that other crap is STILL HERE, and has to be completely flushed down the toilet.

Its going to be hard enough for a proven, GREAT coach to come in here and overcome NIL and the psycho admissions office and get us back to what Fitz established - 8, 9 wins per year. Braun is going to get that done? Please.

I will be VERY disappointed if they keep Braun as head coach.

I love the blindfolded circular firing squad.
NU can't keep Braun because We need to hire a great coach.
Of course, nobody worth his salt will take the NU job with Schill at the helm.
but still
We can't keep Braun because we need to hire a great coach.
No great coach is coming to NU.
but still
We can't keep Braun because we need to hire a great coach.

Just keep firing, boys. Don't think - just shoot!

What we need to do is stop destroying our own football program from the top.
Start by paying Fitzgerald the money he is owed and apologizing to every guy who has ever proudly worn the NU football jersey (and isn't suing) - especially the guys who stuck around.

Then realize that when you cause an absolute trainwreck and somebody is in there saving your sorry ass, if you have ANY decency, you reward the guy.

 

[TheC]

I love the blindfolded circular firing squad.
NU can't keep Braun because We need to hire a great coach.
Of course, nobody worth his salt will take the NU job with Schill at the helm.
but still
We can't keep Braun because we need to hire a great coach.
No great coach is coming to NU.
but still
We can't keep Braun because we need to hire a great coach.

Just keep firing, boys. Don't think - just shoot!

What we need to do is stop destroying our own football program from the top.
Start by paying Fitzgerald the money he is owed and apologizing to every guy who has ever proudly worn the NU football jersey (and isn't suing) - especially the guys who stuck around.

Then realize that when you cause an absolute trainwreck and somebody is in there saving your sorry ass, if you have ANY decency, you reward the guy.

The two things do not have to be mutually exclusive. One can not trust the leadership to make a good hire, and still be disappointed if Braun ends up the permanent head coach.

I am not sure I totally agree that the leadership couldn't hire somebody exciting. Just because they failed in one aspect, doesn't mean they will fail at everything. They might fail, but they might not. Sometimes the right candidate falls in your lap.

Also, having great admiration for Braun and the job he has done while not wanting him to continue in that role beyond this year is not necessarily discordant either.

 

[corbi296]

I say again, I cannot imagine a scenario where Braun is told "Sorry, we are NOT hiring you as the HC" and then he agrees to stay as DC. The only scenario of that happening - as I stated above - is if we hire Holtz and put in Braun's contract that his title is DC/Assistant Head Coach/Future Head Coach Designate. MAYBE he would agree to that.

As I said above, the idea of him not getting the HC job and just staying as DC after this year is like a girlfriend breaking up with you while saying "but you really are a great guy, so let's just agree stay friends, okay?".

Sorry to repost something I posted before but I cannot even imagine a scenario where Braun remains if he is not HC.

(Edited to add - and even more unlikely scenario but I suppose it is a "one in a thousand" possibility - Braun stays as DC if we hire the North Dakota State HC as our HC. I mean, talk about a guy up there in North Dakota saying to himself DAMN the luck. Same deal with head coach designate, etc.)

Plus the players supposedly love him and he is recruiting well, should not that matter?

No one is saying that. What we are saying is that the new coach will be asked to consider retaining Braun as his DC and the possibility exists that the new coach sees how much improved the defense was, hits it off with Braun in interviews and offers him the DC role. Braun isn’t getting a head coaching job anywhere else and realizes he still has to prove himself as a DC. If he meshes with the new head coach, I could see him concluding that this is the best possible opportunity for him. Probably not a likely outcome but not one I would completely dismiss.

 

[Eurocat]

"Look, I know we have been dating and we made out a bit and totally you are SUCH a nice guy and incredible and all, but I don't see a future....wait no....look, hang on, you are a GREAT guy okay, but, I don't know, there is this other guy....but, hey, it can all be cool...we can be totally like best friends! I will call you ALL the time you just won't be my guy any more. But you are SO great.:"

 

[Eurocat]

Why would not Braun, having been slapped in the face by not getting our HC job, not immediately call whomever it is that does get the Michigan Sate job (there is zero doubt they will be hiring) or Indiana job (there is a 95% chance they will be hiring). Predition - Braun is HC here next year or DC at MSU or Indy.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

YES YES YES.

And yes, I absolutely give Braun credit for keeping the sinking ship upright, but .... c'mon guys, I'm with Corbi and HungryEyes - the acceptable standard of performance for this program has utterly plummeted, and I'm not buying. We have to CLEAN HOUSE and start over. Sorry, but the Fitz mentality of we can win with bare bones offensive production, great character, and all that other crap is STILL HERE, and has to be completely flushed down the toilet.

Its going to be hard enough for a proven, GREAT coach to come in here and overcome NIL and the psycho admissions office and get us back to what Fitz established - 8, 9 wins per year. Braun is going to get that done? Please.

I will be VERY disappointed if they keep Braun as head coach.

I don’t think you should assume that’s Braun’s overall philosophy. At all.

 

[gocatsgo2003]

"Look, I know we have been dating and we made out a bit and totally you are SUCH a nice guy and incredible and all, but I don't see a future....wait no....look, hang on, you are a GREAT guy okay, but, I don't know, there is this other guy....but, hey, it can all be cool...we can be totally like best friends! I will call you ALL the time you just won't be my guy any more. But you are SO great.:"

Are you saying Braun would turn down the DC gig if offered or that NU shouldn’t offer?

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Why would not Braun, having been slapped in the face by not getting our HC job, not immediately call whomever it is that does get the Michigan Sate job (there is zero doubt they will be hiring) or Indiana job (there is a 95% chance they will be hiring). Predition - Braun is HC here next year or DC at MSU or Indy.

Interesting notion. But Braun won't take it as a slap in the face if NU screws him and brings in a mediocre overpaid re-tread. Loyalty has zero value to Schill, of course, Braun (and the team) can read the word "interim."
When you have gone to the circus and watched the clown show you know what to expect the 2nd time.

For those who think Braun can't go from Defensive Coordinator to Head Coach successfully, I'm pretty sure that Pat Fitzgerald went from linebackers coach to head coach overnight. After a couple years of minimal growing pains, things got pretty good. Of course, the administration knew what they were doing and had his back. Nowadays, its the opposite, but Fitzgerald had done very little as a coach compared to Braun.

How fitting it would be for NU's clowns to screw Braun and watch him become a fixture somewhere else.

 

[WaveJumper]

Whenever someone gets hired for a significant position in an organization, there has to be a "value proposition" that accrues to both parties - the individual and the organization. Here is where I have a problem when I consider bringing in a "really well qualified" candidate for the NU head coaching job, and not just a recycled bull$hitter.

Seems everyone here has focused on the value proposition to NU, but what about the super qualified individual you're about to offer this opportunity. What's the value proposition for him? (sorry ladies!)

Let's set his base compensation at $10 million/year for 5 years, with liberal performance bonuses, free choice on his staff compensated at the 75 percentile level of BIG salaries. I think that is more than reasonable for him to consider for a compensation package.

Beyond that, what might be some other things this "hot" prospect might want to consider before making a decision? Oh, maybe, reporting structure, facilities, current shape of the program, admissions policy for football recruits, current/future NIL opportunities, alumni, student, community support for the program, relationships with area high school coaches, and finally, how does this opportunity compare to others that he may be a candidate for? Just a few things that I believe any serious candidate would be thinking about.

Not suggesting any particular hire, because I don't honestly have a favorite.

Just trying to add a little realism to the "value proposition" consideration. Having gone through this process a few times, I've always had to sell the organization on what I was bringing to the table. I think it may be the other way around here.

Piece of cake, huh?

 

[gocatsgo2003]

Whenever someone gets hired for a significant position in an organization, there has to be a "value proposition" that accrues to both parties - the individual and the organization. Here is where I have a problem when I consider bringing in a "really well qualified" candidate for the NU head coaching job, and not just a recycled bull$hitter.

Seems everyone here has focused on the value proposition to NU, but what about the super qualified individual you're about to offer this opportunity. What's the value proposition for him? (sorry ladies!)

Let's set his base compensation at $10 million/year for 5 years, with liberal performance bonuses, free choice on his staff compensated at the 75 percentile level of BIG salaries. I think that is more than reasonable for him to consider for a compensation package.

Beyond that, what might be some other things this "hot" prospect might want to consider before making a decision? Oh, maybe, reporting structure, facilities, current shape of the program, admissions policy for football recruits, current/future NIL opportunities, alumni, student, community support for the program, relationships with area high school coaches, and finally, how does this opportunity compare to others that he may be a candidate for? Just a few things that I believe any serious candidate would be thinking about.

Not suggesting any particular hire, because I don't honestly have a favorite.

Just trying to add a little realism to the "value proposition" consideration. Having gone through this process a few times, I've always had to sell the organization on what I was bringing to the table. I think it may be the other way around here.

Piece of cake, huh?

We aren’t gonna be paying anyone $10MM/year anytime soon.

 

[FeralFelidae]

I wonder if Braun would stay on as DC if Fitz were brought back as HC.