The Northwestern football hazing scandal that cost former head coach Pat Fitzgerald his job continues to get more and more complicated. After promoting newly-hired defensive coordinator David Braun as interim head coach for the 2023 college football season, the latest report from the embattled football program is that they are now also bringing in experienced head coach Skip Holtz as a “special assistant.”

“Sources: Northwestern has agreed in principle to hire Skip Holtz as the special assistant to the head coach for the 2023 season,” ESPN's  Pete Thamel reported on Twitter. “Holtz’s assignment is temporary and won’t interfere with his USFL job as the head coach of the Birmingham Stallions.”

Holtz is the son of legendary Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz and an experienced program leader in his own right.

After briefly playing for his dad at Notre Dame as a walk-on special teamer, Skip Holtz followed his father into coaching as an assistant for Florida State, Colorado State, Notre Dame, and South Carolina. He also has head coaching experience at UConn, East Carolina, South Florida, and Louisiana Tech.

Article Continues Below
Related Northwestern Football News
Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) throws during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Ohio State won 31-7.
Northwestern QB adding second sport in intriguing moveRussell Steinberg ·
Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Preston Stone (2) passes the ball against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
Preston Stone signs with Northwestern after SMU’s CFP lossJaren Kawada ·
Illinois Northwestern prediction, college football odds
Illinois vs. Northwestern predictions, pick, odds, spread for CFB Week 14 2024Bryan Logan ·
Northwestern Michigan prediction, Northwestern Michigan pick, Northwestern Michigan odds, Northwestern Michigan, how to watch Northwestern Michigan
Northwestern vs. Michigan predictions, pick, odds, spread for CFB Week 13 2024Scotty White ·
A general view of Ryan Field before a game between Purdue and Northwestern.
Northwestern unveils historic $850 million stadium planRussell Steinberg ·
Dec 19, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Northwestern football wide receiver Bryce Kirtz (17) is tackled by Ohio State football linebacker Justin Hilliard (47) during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Northwestern’s offense gets big boost ahead of daunting Ohio State matchupPreston Byers ·

In Holtz’s most recent gig as the head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach of the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL, he’s won back-to-back league championships.

David Braun doesn’t have nearly the experience that the 59-year-old Holtz. Braun started his coaching career at his alma mater, Division II Winona State in Georgia. After that, he had assistant coaching jobs at Culver–Stockton, UC Davis, Northern Iowa, and most recently, North Dakota State. He was with the Bison for four seasons and won two FCS national championships.

Before the Northwestern football hazing scandal, the school hired Braun as its new DC. Once Pat Fitzgerald got fired, Braun was elevated to interim head coach, and now he has an experienced guide to help him through his first FBS season in Skip Holtz.