Northwestern Program History
Wildcats · Big Ten · FBS seasons since 1985
- All-time
- 223-271-3.452
- Seasons
- 421985–2026
- AP top 25
- 6final polls
- AP top 10
- 2final polls
- Best rating
- +11.621st in 2020
Season by season
| Year | Coach | Record | AP | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026so far | David Braun | 6-1 | 24 | +10.927 |
| 2025 | David Braun | 7-6 | +2.859 | |
| 2024 | David Braun | 4-8 | -2.777 | |
| 2023 | David Braun | 8-5 | +0.760 | |
| 2022 | Pat Fitzgerald | 1-11 | -6.898 | |
| 2021 | Pat Fitzgerald | 3-9 | -6.793 | |
| 2020 | Pat Fitzgerald | 7-2 | 10 | +11.621 |
| 2019 | Pat Fitzgerald | 3-9 | -1.364 | |
| 2018 | Pat Fitzgerald | 9-5 | +6.936 | |
| 2017 | Pat Fitzgerald | 10-3 | 17 | +9.527 |
| 2016 | Pat Fitzgerald | 7-6 | +4.349 | |
| 2015 | Pat Fitzgerald | 10-3 | 23 | — |
| 2014 | Pat Fitzgerald | 5-7 | — | |
| 2013 | Pat Fitzgerald | 5-7 | — | |
| 2012 | Pat Fitzgerald | 10-3 | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Pat Fitzgerald | 6-7 | — | |
| 2010 | Pat Fitzgerald | 7-6 | — | |
| 2009 | Pat Fitzgerald | 8-5 | — | |
| 2008 | Pat Fitzgerald | 9-4 | — | |
| 2007 | Pat Fitzgerald | 6-6 | — | |
| 2006 | Pat Fitzgerald | 4-8 | — | |
| 2005 | Randy Walker | 7-5 | — | |
| 2004 | Randy Walker | 6-6 | — | |
| 2003 | Randy Walker | 6-7 | — | |
| 2002 | Randy Walker | 3-9 | — | |
| 2001 | Randy Walker | 4-7 | — | |
| 2000 | Randy Walker | 8-4 | — | |
| 1999 | Randy Walker | 3-8 | — | |
| 1998 | Gary Barnett | 3-9 | — | |
| 1997 | Gary Barnett | 5-7 | — | |
| 1996 | Gary Barnett | 9-3 | 15 | — |
| 1995 | Gary Barnett | 10-2 | 8 | — |
| 1994 | Gary Barnett | 3-7-1 | — | |
| 1993 | Gary Barnett | 2-9 | — | |
| 1992 | Gary Barnett | 3-8 | — | |
| 1991 | Francis Peay | 3-8 | — | |
| 1990 | Francis Peay | 2-9 | — | |
| 1989 | Francis Peay | 0-11 | — | |
| 1988 | Francis Peay | 2-8-1 | — | |
| 1987 | Francis Peay | 2-8-1 | — | |
| 1986 | Francis Peay | 4-7 | — | |
| 1985 | Dennis Green | 3-8 | — |
Ratings and conference records start with the 2016 season. How the ratings work.
Head coaches
| Coach | Years | Record | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Braun | 2023–2026 | 25-20 | .556 |
| Pat Fitzgerald | 2006–2022 | 110-101 | .521 |
| Randy Walker | 1999–2005 | 37-46 | .446 |
| Gary Barnett | 1992–1998 | 35-45-1 | .438 |
| Francis Peay | 1986–1991 | 13-51-2 | .212 |
| Dennis Green | 1985 | 3-8 | .273 |