Jerry Neuheisel Hired As Quarterbacks Coach At Northwestern
If you thought the transfer portal was the only place where things got a little chaotic in college football, you clearly haven’t been watching the coaching carousel spin this week. The Northwestern Wildcats are set to hire Jerry Neuheisel as their new quarterbacks coach, a move that feels less like a blind date and more like a strategic family reunion. This isn’t just filling a vacancy; it’s about chemistry, history, and trying to spark an offense that needs a jolt.
The Neuheisel and Kelly Connection
In the high-stakes world of the Big Ten, familiarity is a luxury. By bringing in Neuheisel, Northwestern Head Coach David Braun is banking on a pre-existing relationship that runs deep. Neuheisel isn’t walking into a room full of strangers; he’s walking back into a meeting room with Chip Kelly.
Kelly, who was recently named Northwestern’s offensive coordinator after a stint with Ohio State and a brief cup of coffee with the Raiders, has a long history with the 33-year-old coach. Neuheisel spent years on Kelly’s staff at UCLA, working his way up from a grad assistant to coaching wide receivers. There is a specific comfort level there. When you are trying to install a complex offense in a new environment, having a lieutenant who already speaks the language is invaluable.
Leaving UCLA: An Emotional Departure
To understand what Northwestern is getting, you have to look at what Neuheisel left behind. He’s a Bruin through and through. He played quarterback there from 2012 to 2015 and spent the vast majority of his coaching career in Westwood.
This past season showed exactly what kind of heart he brings to the sideline. When things went sideways for UCLA and staff changes were made, Neuheisel stepped up as the interim offensive coordinator. The highlight? Orchestrating a massive, stunner of an upset over a Penn State team that was eyeing the College Football Playoff. The Bruins dropped 42 points on the Nittany Lions, and Neuheisel got a much-deserved Gatorade bath.
His post-game interview was one of those pure, unscripted college football moments. Fighting back tears, he talked about how much he loved the school and the players. “I love UCLA more than anything,” he said.
A Fresh Start In Evanston
However, college football is a business, and sentimental value doesn’t always secure job security. New UCLA Head Coach Bob Chesney decided not to retain Neuheisel, leading him to the open market.
Now, Neuheisel heads to Northwestern with a chance to prove that his interim success wasn’t a fluke. He brings youth, energy, and a significant amount of experience for someone his age. He’s seen the highs and lows, from quality control at Texas A&M to calling plays in the heat of battle against a top-tier defense.
For Northwestern, this is a low-risk, high-reward hire. They get a coach who can relate to the modern player, knows the offensive coordinator’s playbook inside and out, and has proven he can rally a locker room when the chips are down.
