Notre Dame hires Chris Ash as new defensive coordinator
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It hasn't taken too long for Marcus Freeman to find a new defensive coordinator. Earlier this month, Fighting Irish DC Al Golden said goodbye to South Bend and hello to the NFL, as he accepted a job with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Freeman searched far and wide for a suitable replacement and he has landed with former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash, who has plenty of experience running a defense. Notre Dame fans seem split on this. Was this the right call from Freeman?
Sources: Chris Ash has accepted the job as the Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator. Ash brings a blend of coordinating experience, NFL experience and high-end results as a collegiate coordinator. A deal is expected to be finalized in the near future. pic.twitter.com/1qOjdpb6jf
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 29, 2025
Ash was the head coach at Rutgers from 2016-19. Before that, he was the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State. After being fired by the Scarlet Knights, Ash spent 2019 and 2020 with the Texas Longhorns before making his way to the NFL.
This past season, Ash was a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's all set to get back into a coaching role. Freeman is taking a bit of a risk in giving him the job. Only time will tell if said risk proves to be worth it for him or not.