Report: Northwestern tabs Skip Holtz as special assistant

USFL head coach Skip Holtz has agreed to become the new special assistant to the head coach at Northwestern this season, ESPN reported Monday.

The post is temporary and won't impact Holtz's duties with the Birmingham Stallions, per the report. Holtz has led the Stallions to back-to-back USFL titles.

Holtz, the son of legendary coach Lou Holtz, also spent 17 years as a head coach himself, going 118-98 with eight bowl wins in the Division I ranks at East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech.

Northwestern is bringing in Holtz to help shepherd interim head coach David Braun through the upcoming season, Braun is being thrust into turmoil over the firing of longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald earlier this month.

Braun was hired as defensive coordinator in January and elevated when Northwestern fired Fitzgerald in response to hazing and assault allegations made by former players. The pattern of alleged incidents prompted lawsuits and the university launched a new follow-up investigation due to the seriousness and sensitivity of multiple claims.

Northwestern begins the season Sept. 3 at Rutgers.