Notre Dame has hired Chris Ash as its defensive coordinator, the school announced on Saturday. The former Rutgers coach replaces Al Golden, who departed his post to take the same

Notre Dame made the hiring of defensive coordinator Chris Ash official on Saturday, issuing a press release about the pending move (requires standard Notre Dame hiring protocol). In that release, Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman issued a statement about the veteran assistant that will now call the Fighting Irish defense.

Marcus Freeman has worked his way to the top of college football as the head coach of one of the most historic programs in the sport at Notre Dame. In just a few seasons as head coach, he’s brought the team back to the precipice of a national championship for the first time in decades. It’s been an incredible run for him so far.

Notre Dame football offensive line coach Joe Rudolph worked with Chris Ash at Wisconsin for two seasons, coaching tight ends.

Days after Al Golden left to become the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Fighting Irish have hired former Rutgers coach Chris Ash to be their new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Ash has been in the NFL since the start of the 2021 season and worked as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.

Just over a week after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship game, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have their next defensive coordinator. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, the university is hiring Chris Ash as their new DC.

Notre Dame football is looking at Chris Ash to fill its defensive coordinator vacancy after losing Al Golden to the Bengals.

Chris Ash follows Al Golden, who returned to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 22 after three seasons running the Notre Dame football defense.