Northwestern Has "Best Stadium in Football," Coach David Braun Says

David Braun is 41 years old and headed into his fourth Division-I football season at the position, all of them with the Northwestern Wildcats. 

Braun is one of the younger coaches in the sport and doesn't have as much experience as many of his peers in the Big Ten, but that hasn't stopped him from putting a competitive product on the field in recent years.

The Wildcats are hoping to take things to the next level this season, and the new Ryan Field, seating capacity 35,000, is expected to be a big part of their renaissance as a program. 

On Friday, Big Ten Network journalists visited Evanston, Ill. during which they met with Northwestern officials including Braun, who discussed the new stadium and what his team must do to start the season off on a high note. 

Nov 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun gestures to his team against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images  "Best Stadium in Football" 

Expectations for the new Ryan Field are a big part of the positive buzz surrounding the Wildcats this season, and Braun acknowledged it in an interview with Dave Revsine of the Big Ten Network. 

"I think there's a balance, there's a lot of excitement around this team, a lot of excitement around what is in store for this season, a new era for offense at Northwestern, and also an attitude of, 'We're not a finished product, there's a lot of work to be done," Braun said. 

He pumped the brakes a bit on excitement swirling around the stadium while also talking up to the Big Ten Network audience. 

"Also, a clear understanding that as exciting as it is to be moving into the best stadium in all of football on October 2nd, we have one heck of an opponent in South Dakota State coming in here on September 5th, and making sure that as a program, we're narrowing our focus, taking it one day at a time, and putting ourselves in a situation to be at our best for that opening game." 

Wildcats Have Struggled in Opening Games

Braun's temperament is understandable considering his team's struggles in recent season openers.

The Wildcats were blitzed 23-3 by the Tulane Green Wave in last season's opening game, but won their 2024 opener by a score of 13-6 against Miami (OH). 

Their 2023 opener saw the Wildcats lose 24-7 to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. 

Braun's team should have a decided advantage in the talent and coaching department over the Jackrabbits on Sept. 5 but it still won't be an easy game with nerves on edge and expectations rising in the background.

The Wildcats were 7-6 last season and 8-5 in his first season on campus. 

Teams are starting to recognize his program as one on its way up, which could make this season all the more difficult, and exciting, in Evanston, Ill.