Northwestern interim head coach David Braun forced to tread murky waters at Big Ten Media Days amid scandal

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David Braun answered the questions like a poised veteran.

No, it wasn't easy discussing the hazing scandal that cost his friend and former boss, Pat Fitzgerald, a seemingly safe head coaching job. And at times, Braun had to be wary with his words because of pending litigation against Northwestern. He never even checked his phone despite his wife's impending due date.

Instead, the Wildcats' new interim coach spent 45 minutes Wednesday sending a message: He intends to lead Northwestern out of a scandal that could drag on for months and already includes disturbing and sordid allegations of abusive behavior as well as racism.

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Northwestern interim head coach David Braun speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Indianapolis.  (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

"There were some jokes about if Kirstin could go into labor roughly about 8 a.m. this morning, but absolutely not," Braun said when asked if he considered skipping the Big Ten's annual preseason event. "You know, if I'm going to ask our players to stare this thing down and take on this adversity and come together, it was absolutely critical that I showed up and stared this down."

Braun certainly played his part in the stadium where Northwestern competed for the conference's football championship in 2020. He was surrounded by some of the biggest names in college football and yet Braun didn't flinch when roughly the same number of reporters gathered around him and Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who spoke during the same time slot on the