Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, hailed as one of college football’s rising stars, now finds himself under unexpected scrutiny following reports linking former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash to the Fighting Irish’s defensive staff. With Al Golden’s departure leaving a critical vacancy at defensive coordinator, Freeman’s consideration of Ash has sparked skepticism—a puzzling move for a program fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance.
Ash’s résumé includes a stint as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2014-15), where he contributed to a national championship-winning defense. That success earned him the Rutgers head coaching job in 2016, a role that unraveled his reputation. Inheriting a program revitalized by Greg Schiano—who transformed Rutgers from a laughingstock into a bowl-regular in the 2000s—Ash cratered the Scarlet Knights’ progress. His tenure (2016-19) produced an 8-32 overall record, including a dismal 3-26 mark in Big Ten play, before his firing four games into the 2019 season. Schiano’s eventual return to Piscataway has since stabilized the program, underscoring the depth of Ash’s struggles as a head coach.
Since Rutgers, Ash’s career has been a nomadic journey: a one-year stop as Texas’ defensive coordinator (2020), followed by roles with the Las Vegas Raiders (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent 2023 as a defensive assistant and 2024 as a scout. While some argue Ash could rebound as an assistant, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator role isn’t just any job. The Irish are contenders, boasting a unit that ranked among the nation’s best in 2023. Entrusting its future to a coach whose recent track record lacks collegiate success—and who hasn’t coordinated a defense since 2020—raises legitimate questions.
Notably, Freeman and Ash share the same agent, fueling speculation that this connection, rather than merit, might be driving the rumor. If true, it’s a risky gamble for Freeman, whose own coaching pedigree hinges on maintaining elite standards. Hiring Ash would demand a strenuous defense of the decision to a fanbase and administration with championship expectations.
Freeman has earned credibility through his leadership and strategic acumen. Yet this potential move feels out of step for a program of Notre Dame’s stature. The Irish should attract top-tier candidates, not retreads with checkered histories. While Ash deserves respect for past contributions at Ohio State, his failures at Rutgers—and lack of a clear rebound since—make him a hard sell.
For Freeman, the message is clear: Notre Dame’s defense deserves a coordinator with proven, recent excellence. This isn’t the time for rehabilitation projects or agent-driven deals. The Irish need a leader capable of elevating a title-ready roster. Freeman must look elsewhere—or risk tarnishing his own rising reputation.
