...
By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Northwestern University football head coach David Braun is determined to build on his program's 7-6 season finish (4-5 in the Big Ten) in 2025, including a 34-7 GameAbove Sports Bowl victory over the Central Michigan Chippewas.
More news: Northwestern Hiring Legendary Former 2-Time Pac-12 Coach of the Year As OC
To that end, Braun has already brought in Chip Kelly, who had masterminded Ohio State's 2024 College Football Playoff championship team as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and had enjoyed successful stints with the Oregon Ducks (including an appearance at the College Football Playoff National Championship game), the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, and the UCLA Bruins as a head coach.
Read More on NBA
...
Now, the Wildcats have officially announced that they're bringing in another familiar face from Kelly's coaching past to join him as he roams the sidelines next to Braun.
More news: Clemson, Dabo Swinney Announce Drastic Coaching Change After 7-6 Season
Northwestern is bringing in former UCLA offensive playcaller Jerry Neuheisel to serve as the team's new quarterbacks coach. He had worked with the Bruins for the past eight seasons, including all six of Kelly's years with the program. UCLA went 35-34 under Kelly (and Neuheisel), and appeared in three bowl games during the end of their tenure.
Most recently, Kelly had enjoyed another NFL stint. He served as the offensive coordinator under another longtime college coach, Pete Carroll, on a doomed Las Vegas Raiders squad this past fall, but was let go after a scant 11 contests.
Prior to Kelly, Northwestern had used former South Dakota State OC Zach Lujan as both its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for its last two seasons under Braun. Now, those duties will be split between Kelly and Neuheisel.
“I think Coach Kelly’s track record speaks for itself," Braun raved of Kelly, per Colleen Kane of The Chicago Tribune. "But the thing that makes me most convicted and so excited is about his decision to say, ‘You know what? It’s not just Northwestern choosing Coach Kelly. It’s Coach Kelly choosing Northwestern.’”
The Wildcats are clearly all-in on building a winning program. Hiring Kelly is a testament to that, as is the school's $862 million Ryan Field upgrade, expected to be ready in time for the 2026 season.
More news: Michigan Quarterback Makes Major Decision on His College Football Future
For more college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines