Last week, Al Golden left the Notre Dame football program following the Fighting Irish’s loss in the National Championship Game. Just one week later, the Irish are making progress in finding a replacement for the defensive coordinator position, and a familiar name has emerged as a frontrunner: Chris Ash, a former Ohio State coach who faced Notre Dame in last Monday’s title game.
Ash, who served as an assistant coach with the Buckeyes during the 2010s, is now considered a strong candidate for the coveted defensive coordinator role on Marcus Freeman’s staff. Although he has experience as a head coach with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, his tenure was brief, lasting only four seasons in Piscataway.
On Sunday, Notre Dame writer Pete Sampson of The Athletic reported that “multiple sources tell The Athletic that former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash has emerged as a strong candidate to be Notre Dame’s next defensive coordinator,” with Sampson highlighting Ash’s previous position in Columbus at Ohio State. The Irish defense boasts an abundance of top-end talent heading into 2025, so whoever secures this role will have ample resources to work with. Notre Dame reached heights not seen since 2012, nearly capturing a National Championship and closening in on their first significant bowl win since 1993. The playoff run captivated the Irish fanbase, even though they ultimately fell short against Ohio State.
As they look ahead to 2025, time will reveal how they respond, but they are expected to remain a formidable presence next year. We’ll see if Ash will be part of that journey.
