They were led by first-year head coach David Braun and played their home games at Ryan Field (in its final season) in Evanston, Illinois.

On July 7, 2023, the school announced that they had suspended head coach Pat Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay after an investigation related to hazing within the football program.

[3] Three days later as details emerged of the allegations from a former player that included hazing and sexual abuse, the school fired Fitzgerald after 17 years as head coach.

[4] The school named defensive coordinator David Braun the interim head coach for the season.

[5] The Wildcats were predicted to finish seventh in the Big Ten's West Division.