NU talking to ex-coaches for unique assistant function

• Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Elder WriterJul 20, 2023, 09:40 AM ET Close College football reporter.
• Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.Northwestern has had discussions with

previous NFL and college coach Dave Wannstedt and others about a special assistant function for the 2023 season.Wannstedt told WSCR radio in Chicago on Thursday that he spoke with Northwestern athletic director Derrick Gragg over the weekend about potentially signing up with the coaching personnel, however eventually eliminated himself from factor to consider. Northwestern last week named defensive coordinator David Braun as interim coach for the 2023 season, but the school is checking out including a veteran coach to assist him, sources told ESPN.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated Wannstedt, who coached Pitt from 2005 to 2010 and has led the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, told WSCR that he saw the position in a different way than Northwestern did and had concerns about what the role would be. “What’s the role of this person? You bring somebody else because’s going to exist every day and remain in the press box and involved in the playcalling, you’re

going to lose the players,” Wannstedt said. “The players need to be playing for their head coach. The coaches need to know they’re coaching with the head coach, is their person, or everyone’s going to rest on their hands.” Wannstedt said Northwestern likewise reached out to Skip Holtz, a long time college coach now leading the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions, but sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Holtz will not be joining the school. Northwestern has yet to fill the job on the personnel following coach Pat Fitzgerald’s shooting July 10. The school is dealing with numerous lawsuits over allegations of hazing, racial discrimination and other mistreatment within the program.Northwestern is maintaining all of its assistant coaches and support personnel for the 2023 season, set to start Sept. 3 at Rutgers.