Notre Dame hires new defensive coordinator

Notre Dame has named Chris Ash as their new defensive coordinator following the departure of Al Golden. Ash, 51, reached an agreement on Wednesday to take on the role, as reported by Pete Thamel of ESPN. Before accepting the position at Notre Dame, Ash had spent the 2024 season working as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars. His most recent coaching role was as the defensive backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, and he also served a year as Jacksonville’s safeties coach.

While Ash’s recent experience in the NFL is notable, the bulk of his coaching career has been spent at the collegiate level. He was the head coach at Rutgers from 2016 to 2019, where he was tasked with rebuilding the program. In addition to his tenure at Rutgers, Ash has held defensive coordinator positions at several other universities, with his most significant role being at Ohio State. From 2014 to 2015, Ash served as co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes, helping lead one of the nation’s top defenses during that time.

There are reports that Ash may share the defensive coordinator responsibilities at Notre Dame with Mike Mickens, the team’s defensive backs coach. Mickens is currently the longest-tenured member of the Irish coaching staff, and this potential dual-coordinator arrangement could help maintain continuity in the defensive structure. John Brice from FootballScoop mentioned that head coach Marcus Freeman could be considering this co-defensive coordinator setup, which could allow for both Ash and Mickens to play significant roles in shaping the team’s defensive strategies.

Notre Dame’s defense has been a strength in recent seasons, with the unit ranking among the top defenses in the nation. In the 2024 season, the Irish defense allowed just 15.5 points per game, placing them fifth in the nation out of 134 teams. This was an improvement on their 2023 performance, where they ranked seventh in points allowed, demonstrating the consistent success of their defensive schemes under Golden. However, with Golden’s recent move to the NFL as a defensive coordinator, the program is looking to maintain that defensive prowess and continue its high-level performance.

In hiring Chris Ash, Notre Dame is hoping to further strengthen its defense and build on the solid foundation established under Golden. Ash brings a wealth of experience, both in the NFL and in college football, and his leadership could be a crucial factor in the team’s continued success. Whether Ash works alone as the defensive coordinator or shares the role with Mickens, his ability to adapt and guide the Irish defense will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

In summary, Chris Ash’s appointment as defensive coordinator marks a new chapter for Notre Dame’s defense following the departure of Al Golden. With a blend of NFL experience and extensive college coaching history, Ash is poised to make a significant impact on the Irish defense, possibly in collaboration with Mike Mickens. This hiring reflects Notre Dame’s commitment to maintaining a top-tier defense, ensuring that they remain competitive in the highly challenging world of college football.