Northwestern is set to remove the interim tag from David Braun and make him permanent head football coach, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Braun, formerly the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator, took over as interim coach after Pat Fitzgerald was fired in July amid a hazing scandal. Northwestern, which went 1-11 in 2022, is 5-5 this season and one win from bowl-eligibility heading into Saturday’s home game vs. Purdue.

A Wisconsin native, Braun came to Northwestern from North Dakota State, where he was defensive coordinator from 2019-22. The Bison won a pair of national championships during his tenure and he was named FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year by Football Scoop in 2021.

Braun’s promotion leaves five FBS head-coaching openings: Michigan State, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Boise State and San Diego State. An official announcement from Northwestern is expected Thursday.