The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Northwestern: a coaching history
See Northwestern’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Program GOAT
Pappy Waldorf
0 Dynasty · 0 Blue-Blood seasons
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
David Braun is 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.
Every coach
2023–now
David Brauncaretaker
National Program III
12–13
2006–2022
Pat Fitzgeraldcaretaker
National Program II
110–101
1999–2005
Randy Walkercaretaker
Regional Program I
37–46
1992–1998
Gary Barnettbuilder
+19.6
35–45
1986–1991
Francis Peaycaretaker
Regional Program V
13–51
1981–1985
Dennis Greencaretaker
Regional Program V
10–45
1978–1980
Rick Venturicaretaker
Regional Program V
1–31
1973–1977
John Pontcaretaker
−10.1
12–43
1964–1972
Alex Agasecaretaker
−16.5
32–58
1956–1963
Ara Parseghiancaretaker
+11.9
36–35
1947–1954
Robert Voigtscaretaker
−10.5
33–39
1936–1946
Pappy Waldorfcaretaker
Power Program III
45–42