UTAH UTES

Northwestern Head Coach David Braun Admires Utah Football Model

Dec 4, 2023, 8:55 AM

northwestern-head-coach-david-braun-walks-on-field-2023...

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach David Braun of the Northwestern Wildcats walks off the field after a 24-7 defeat to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a college football game at SHI Stadium on September 3, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – The stage is set for Utah and Northwestern to face-off in the Las Vegas Bowl, and Wildcat head coach David Braun had some great things to say about Kyle Whittingham and the Utes.

Braun was thrown into a particularly sticky situation with Northwestern earlier in the year as longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired over a hazing scandal that grabbed headlines over the summer.

The Wildcat’s defensive coordinator turned head coach was tasked with getting the team through some major turmoil in 2023 which he has done quite successfully.

In his bowl game announcement press conference, Braun said that what Whittingham has built and implemented at Utah is a model he admires.

David Braun’s Experience With Utah Football During Professional Development

Braun revealed he’s been able to observe the Utes up-close and personal in the past during a professional development opportunity he had.

As for facing Utah, Braun noted from his experience he expects the competition to be a great challenge for his program.

“It’ll be a tremendous challenge,” Braun said. “I don’t think Coach Whittingham knows this, but I’ll commonly use the Utah program model as one I admire.”

Braun said he hasn’t watched much of Utah this year but was certain the Utes will give the Wildcats their best shot.

“Haven’t had much of an opportunity to watch much of them,” Braun said. “But the one thing I can say is, you know you’re going to get a team that plays complementary football, a team that plays physical football.”

Braun Recalls Running Into Whittingham At 2009 Sugar Bowl

Braun later recalled a time he saw Whittingham as the Utes were preparing to take on Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.

“I remember that game vividly,” Braun said. “I remember as a young coach, walking the halls at a GAs coaching convention, and being like, ‘Hey, that’s Coach Whittingham.'”

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on XInstagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Utah-BYU 2011...

Brian Preece

DJ & PK’s Best Utah/BYU Rivalry Moments: Utes Seize Rivalry Momentum At Jake Heaps’ Expense

As the weather skips fall and shifts to winter, college football fans across the Beehive State are preparing for a reinvigorated rivalry game between the struggling Utah Utes and streaking BYU Cougars.

9 hours ago

utah byu lavell...

Tanner Tripp

DJ & PK’s Best Utah/BYU Rivalry Moments: ‘Last Miracle For LaVell’

As we inch closer to BYU and Utah’s matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 9, DJ & PK take a look back at some of this rivalry’s biggest moments. On the list for today is legendary Cougars coach Lavell Edwards’ last game before his retirement, a 34-27 win in Salt Lake City thanks to a game-winning touchdown drive.

1 day ago

Utah BYU Football Rivalry Best Moments Max Hall...

Chandler Holt

DJ & PK’s Best Utah/BYU Rivalry Moments: Max Hall Gets Last Laugh

With the long-awaited Utah and BYU matchup quickly approaching, we decided to look back at the best moments in the history of the rivalry.

1 day ago

Utah football quarterback Sam Huard...

Steve Bartle

Utah Quarterback Sam Huard Out For Season After Surgery, According To Kyle Whittingham

Utah quarterback Sam Huard has not been included in the renewed quarterback battle recently and Kyle Whittingham revealed why.

2 days ago

utah byu brandon burton...

Tanner Tripp

DJ & PK’s Best Utah/BYU Rivalry Moments: Brandon Burton’s Game Winning FG Block

2010 was the last time BYU and Utah were members of the Mountain West Conference, and today we take a look back to the last time that the Utes and Cougars met as conference foes before Utah made the jump to the Pac-12 and BYU became independent.

3 days ago

gabe-madsen-sets-up-a-play-at-the-huntsman-center-2024...

Steve Bartle

Utah Basketball Cruises To 98-67 Exhibition Win Over CSU Pueblo

In a first-look of the season, Utah basketball gets a 98-67 win in an exhibition matchup against the CSU Pueblo Thunderwolves.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Farmington High School...

American Fork Outlasts Farmington In Defensive Battle

Twelfth-seeded American Fork put together a stout defensive performance, shutting down the Farmington Phoenix in a 21-17 win.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 11

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. It honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron.

Whitaker Field (1)...

Defense Leads Granger Lancers Into Second Round Of Playoffs

Turnovers ruled the day as the Granger Lancers overcame an early deficit to beat the Box Elder Bees 26-23. The Lancers advance to face the Roy Royals on Friday, November 1.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 10

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

Northwestern Head Coach David Braun Admires Utah Football Model