David Braun’s contract extension and Northwestern’s dominant win over Colorado have created plenty of momentum around the Wildcats, but the head coach believes the program is only “just getting started” as it looks toward a bigger future in Evanston.
David Braun entered Saturday night with a new contract and left the lakefront with another statement win.
Two days before Northwestern’s 41-7 victory over Colorado, the university announced a contract extension keeping Braun in Evanston through the 2031 season. Mark Jackson, Northwestern’s Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, called Braun “the right leader today for Northwestern Football and for the years to come.”
After the win, Braun was asked how he felt about the extension and the momentum surrounding the program. His first response was simple.
“Praise God,” Braun said.
Sep 19, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun on the sidelines against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesBraun said he felt good after a win, but emphasized that there is a bigger picture surrounding Northwestern football. He pointed to the alignment across the university, including the leadership of Jackson, and the support surrounding the program as Northwestern enters a new era with its new Ryan Field opening in October.
Braun also made it clear that he wants to be in Evanston for a long time, but only if Northwestern is serious about competing at the highest level.
“I love being here, I want to be here for a long time,” Braun said. “But I don’t want to be here, or our players don’t want to be here, unless we’re truly committed to competing for championships.”
That message has become part of how Braun and his staff approach recruiting and building the program. He pointed to the leadership within Northwestern’s locker room, the university’s investment and the arrival of the new stadium as pieces of a larger vision.
“There is no doubt that we’re just getting started in that regard,” Braun said.
The timing of the extension and Saturday’s performance added to the positive momentum around the Wildcats. Northwestern improved to 2-0 with a 41-7 win over Colorado, dominating both sides of the ball while Chiles accounted for five touchdowns and Himon II caught three touchdown passes.
For a program entering a new era, the start could hardly have been more encouraging. Northwestern now faces its first major stretch of the season, beginning with a Friday night road matchup against Indiana on Sept. 25 before hosting Penn State in the inaugural game at New Ryan Field on Oct. 2.
The early results are there, the university has shown its commitment and Braun has made it clear that the expectations are bigger than simply winning a few games. Now, the question is whether Northwestern can carry this momentum into the Big Ten portion of its schedule and continue building toward the championship standard Braun says the program is chasing.
