The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Northwestern: a football coaching history

National Program III#65 of 138–
See Northwestern’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Pappy Waldorf
Peaked at Power Program III
Built by
Gary Barnett
Regional Program VI → Regional Program I (+19.6)
The fall
Alex Agase
National Program I → Regional Program I (−16.5)
Right now
David Braun
the 6th-best of Northwestern's 12 coaches so far
Northwestern's highest stature since 2020

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)WaldorfVoigtsParseghianAgasePontGreenPeayBarnettWalkerFitzgerald19401960198020002020

Every coach

2023–now
David Brauncaretaker🏆 COY
David Braun moved Northwestern from Regional Program I to National Program III in 4 seasons.
National Program III
19–19
2006–2022
Pat Fitzgeraldcaretaker
Pat Fitzgerald moved Northwestern from Regional Program I to National Program II in 17 seasons.
National Program II
110–101
1999–2005
Randy Walkercaretaker
Randy Walker held Northwestern at Regional Program I for 7 seasons.
Regional Program I
37–46
1992–1998
Gary Barnettbuilder
Gary Barnett raised Northwestern from Regional Program VI to Regional Program I.
+19.6
35–45
1986–1991
Francis Peaycaretaker
Francis Peay moved Northwestern from Regional Program VI to Regional Program V in 6 seasons.
Regional Program V
13–51
1981–1985
Dennis Greencaretaker
Dennis Green held Northwestern at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
10–45
1978–1980
Rick Venturicaretaker
Rick Venturi slid Northwestern from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 3 seasons.
Regional Program V
1–31
1973–1977
John Pontcaretaker
John Pont slid Northwestern from Regional Program I to Regional Program II in 5 seasons.
−10.1
12–43
1964–1972
Alex Agasecaretaker
Alex Agase held Northwestern at National Program I for 9 seasons.
−16.5
32–58
1956–1963
Ara Parseghiancaretaker
Ara Parseghian moved Northwestern from Regional Program I to National Program I in 8 seasons.
+11.9
36–35
1955–1955
Lou Sabanshort tenure
0–8
1947–1954
Robert Voigtscaretaker
Robert Voigts slid Northwestern from National Program I to Power Program III in 8 seasons.
−10.5
33–39
1936–1946
Pappy Waldorfcaretaker
Pappy Waldorf held Northwestern at Power Program III for 11 seasons.
Power Program III
45–42