Jerry Neuheisel was announced Saturday as Northwestern’s new quarterbacks coach. This comes just days after his former UCLA boss, Chip Kelly, was named offensive coordinator. Neuheisel, who spent eight seasons at UCLA in various coaching roles, begins a new chapter. The son of former Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel confirmed his new position with a tweet on social media.
Jerry Neuheisel Sends Message to Northwestern Fans on Social Media
To signify his appointment, Neuheisel posted a tweet on X hours after the announcement writing: “Great day to be a Wildcat!” His new designation is dear to him, as he was a former quarterback at Westwood from 2012 to 2015, earning Pac-12 All-Academic honors four times.
Neuheisel began coaching at Texas A&M in 2017, before serving as a graduate assistant at UCLA from 2018 to 2020. He served as wide receivers coach from 2021 to 2023 and then as tight ends coach through last season.
He was promoted to assistant head coach in December 2024 and soon assumed offensive play-calling duties during a challenging 2025 season, which ultimately led to a head coaching change, highlighted by the firing of erstwhile chief tactician DeShaun Foster.
As offensive playcaller, Neuheisel led the Bruins to a 42-37 win over then-No. 7 Penn State at the Rose Bowl on October 4. This was UCLA’s first top-10 win since 2010. It was also the first time since 1985 that a team starting 0–4 beat a top-10 opponent.
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This sparked a three-game winning streak against Big Ten opponents. UCLA defeated Michigan State 38-13 on the road and Maryland 20-17 at home. Although this Maryland game was the team’s last win of the season, the Bruins lost their next five games and finished 3-9. Under Neuheisel’s playcalling on offense, however, the team showed promise and could contend next season with the right players.
However, Rick Neuheisel’s son was not retained. UCLA appointed former James Madison chief tactician Bob Chesney as its head coach. As a result, Jerry Neuheisel began searching for a new job.
Neuheisel Reunites With Chip Kelly in Northwestern
Neuheisel’s hiring as quarterbacks coach meant a reunification with Kelly, his former boss from 2018 to 2023 at UCLA. During their tenure together with the Bruins, Neuheisel worked with him as a graduate assistant and wide receivers coach. Together, UCLA went 35-34 (26-26 in Pac-12) during the six seasons.
The Kelly-Neuheisel partnership secured three bowl invitations from 2021 to 2023, winning one (LA Bowl) and losing one (Sun Bowl). They received an invite to the Holiday Bowl, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions.
The reunited duo aims to help Northwestern head coach David Braun improve the team’s rankings next season and continue its Bowl-winning streak, which reached six games following a 34-7 victory over Central Michigan at the GameAbove Sports Bowl.
