Notre Dame football had an impressive postseason, reaching the national championship game but ultimately losing to Ohio State. It’s common for coaching changes to follow such success, as successful coordinators often attract new opportunities. In this case, defensive coordinator Al Golden left for an NFL position, and Notre Dame has hired Chris Ash as his replacement.
According to Pete Thamel, Ash has agreed to become Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator. With a background in both college football and the NFL, Ash offers a wealth of experience and a proven track record. The contract is expected to be finalized soon.
Notre Dame’s defense was among the best in college football this season, which made Golden a coveted coach, especially with his aspirations to move to the NFL. Consequently, Golden took the opportunity to join the Cincinnati Bengals.
Chris Ash previously served as defensive coordinator at Texas in 2020 and most recently worked as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.
Ash brings substantial experience to Notre Dame, having worked at various levels in both college football and the NFL. His career includes stints as a head coach, coordinator, and scout, providing him with a diverse perspective on the game.
Starting as a graduate assistant at Drake in 1997, Ash quickly rose to defensive coordinator in just one year. He’s since held positions at Iowa State, San Diego State, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Ohio State, Rutgers, Texas, the Jaguars, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ash was the head coach at Rutgers from 2016 to 2019, but his time there was marked by limited success, with records of 2-10, 4-8, 1-11, and a 1-3 start in 2019 before his dismissal.
Known for his defensive expertise, Ash’s experience as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach makes him a strong addition to the Notre Dame football program.
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