NU ‘worthwhile of doing something terrific,’ coach states

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterAug 23, 2023, 03:28 PM ET

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• College football reporter.
• Signed up with ESPN.com in 2008.
• Graduate of Northwestern University.EVANSTON, Ill.– Northwestern interim

coach David Braun thinks the Wildcats are”worthwhile of doing something terrific”during the upcoming season after a tough summer season stressed by coach Pat Fitzgerald’s shooting July 10. Braun, who was called interim head coach July 13, has been impressed by the Wildcats’resilience and now wants to build more confidence heading into the Sept. 3 opener versus Rutgers.Asked why he felt Northwestern should have success this fall, Braun noted the immediate reaction following Fitzgerald’s shooting in the wake of hazing allegations against the program. More than 10 previous players submitted claims versus Northwestern that declared hazing, however none named any players, and no present players are dealing with discipline heading into the season.Editor’s Picks 2 Related “They continued to appear, and after that they picked to remain, and the way they appear every day,”Braun stated Wednesday

after a practice

in severe

heat. “This group is worthy of success. Now it’s time to for us to go produce self-confidence through our preparation.”Northwestern had only a handful of players, mainly inbound freshmen, get in the transfer portal in the 30-day window managed to teams that go through coaching modifications. Wide receiver Webcam Johnson, who went through coaching modifications at both Vanderbilt and Arizona State previously in his career, felt a”conviction that we’re going to get through this together.””That was something that I hadn’t seen at other schools,” Johnson said.”Sometimes whenever you go through a training modification, individuals splinter. For any team I have actually been on in my 6 years, this team is

as close as any I’ve been a part of, so for me, it was a no-brainer to remain and be with these men.”Braun has actually welcomed former Northwestern players to practices this month, and credited them for “unwavering assistance” towards the group. 2 sets of previous Northwestern professional athletes have provided

open letters in the past week– one protecting the school’s total athletic culture amid the hazing allegations, and another greatly criticizing university administrators for how they approached Fitzgerald’s firing. “In concerns to statements, I’ll inform you precisely what I informed our group today after practice:’That stuff remains in the rear-view,'”Braun said.”We’re on to Rutgers, we’re browsing the windshield, it’s time for us to look straight ahead. Which road right now points to indicate New Jersey. That’s where our focus is at right now. “Braun is not announcing a beginning quarterback for the opener, stating Ben Bryant and Brendan Sullivan both continue to get considerable snaps in practice. Northwestern will not rotate quarterbacks, as Braun said the team requires a conclusive starter.