Marcus Freeman isn't going anywhere. For months, the rumors swirled like a South Bend snowstorm—NFL teams were calling, the "Big Blue" of the New York Giants supposedly had him at the top of their list, and fans were holding their collective breath. But on December 29, 2025, Freeman put the speculation to bed with a simple "run it back" post on social media. Now, as we look toward the 2026 season, the Notre Dame football coaching staff stands as one of the most stable and high-powered units in the country.
It’s a weird time in college football. Coaches jump ship for a bigger paycheck or a better NIL collective every other week. Yet, Notre Dame has managed to keep the core of a group that just went 10-2 in 2025 and nearly snatched a national title in 2024.
Stability matters. Honestly, it’s probably the most underrated part of the Irish's recent success. You’ve seen what happens when a staff is a revolving door—recruits decommit, schemes get messy, and the culture just... sours. But Freeman has built something different. He’s refined the room. He’s brought back the "old guard" like Mike Denbrock while integrating fresh, aggressive minds like Chris Ash.
The Offensive Brain Trust: Denbrock’s Return and the QB Whisperer
The hire of Mike Denbrock as the offensive coordinator wasn’t just a "safe" move. It was a statement. After helping Jayden Daniels win a Heisman at LSU, Denbrock brought that explosive, vertical mindset back to South Bend. He’s entering his second year of this current stint (his third overall at ND), and the chemistry between him and quarterback CJ Carr is already looking like something special.
Denbrock knows these halls. He’s coached at Grand Valley State, Michigan State, and Stanford, but he keeps finding his way back to the Golden Dome.
- Mike Denbrock: Offensive Coordinator & Tight Ends. He’s the guy who turned the Irish offense into a 40-point-per-game machine in late 2025.
- Gino Guidugli: Quarterbacks Coach and Pass Game Coordinator. Think of him as the technician. He’s the one refining Carr’s footwork while Denbrock draws up the deep shots.
- Mike Brown: Wide Receivers. He took over for Chansi Stuckey and has been a monster on the recruiting trail.
- Joe Rudolph: The "Joe Moore" Offensive Line Coach. His unit is the backbone. Period.
Then there’s Ja’Juan Seider. Hiring him away from Penn State was a massive win for the Notre Dame football coaching staff. Seider isn’t just a running backs coach; he’s the Associate Head Coach. He’s a guy who knows how to recruit the East Coast and Florida like nobody else. When you see Notre Dame landing four-star backs from the DMV or the Sunshine State, Seider’s fingerprints are all over it.
📖 Related: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
The Defensive Shift: Chris Ash and the 2026 Shuffle
Defensively, things got a little interesting this winter. Al Golden headed back to the NFL to coordinate for the Cincinnati Bengals, which left a massive hole. Freeman didn't panic. He went out and got Chris Ash, the former Rutgers head coach who most recently spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ash is a "culture first" guy. He’s been very vocal about not wanting to reinvent the wheel. He likes the aggressive, violent style the Irish played under Golden. Why fix what isn't broken?
But the biggest news for the 2026 season is the shuffle involving Al Washington. For four years, Washington was the "DL guy," the Peter Schivarelli Defensive Line Coach. But with Max Bullough leaving for a bigger role at Michigan State (his alma mater), a spot opened up at linebackers.
Freeman didn't look outside. He moved Washington to Linebackers Coach and kept him as the Defensive Run Game Coordinator.
The Charlie Partridge Factor
To fill Washington's old spot on the line, Notre Dame reportedly went big. Bringing in Charlie Partridge from the Indianapolis Colts is a "home run" hire by any metric. Partridge is a legendary defensive line developer. If you follow the NFL Draft, you know the guys he produced at Pitt. Now, he’s reuniting with Chris Ash—they worked together way back at Drake and Wisconsin.
👉 See also: The Detroit Lions Game Recap That Proves This Team Is Different
This is the kind of move that wins championships. You have a defensive coordinator (Ash) and a defensive line coach (Partridge) who basically speak their own shorthand language.
Special Teams and the "Analyst Army"
We have to talk about Marty Biagi. The guy is a wizard. Special teams at Notre Dame isn't just a third phase; it’s a weapon. In 2024, they led the nation in blocked kicks and punts. Biagi also helps out in the secondary, which makes him a dual threat on the staff.
Behind the big names, there’s an army of analysts.
- Trent Miles: Senior Analyst, Offense.
- Andy Buh: Senior Analyst, Defense.
- Casey McHugh: Senior Analyst, Assistant DBs.
These guys are the "eye in the sky." They spend 80 hours a week watching film so the primary assistants can focus on the players. It’s a professional-level operation that rivals most NFL buildings. Honestly, it’s probably better than some of them.
Why This Staff Actually Works
Most people think coaching is just about X's and O's. It's not. It's about ego management. Marcus Freeman has this unique ability to hire guys who could be head coaches elsewhere but want to be here.
✨ Don't miss: The Chicago Bears Hail Mary Disaster: Why Tyrique Stevenson and Bad Luck Changed a Season
Look at Mike Mickens. He’s the Defensive Backs Coach and Defensive Pass Game Coordinator. Every year, his name comes up for coordinator jobs. Every year, he stays. He’s developed guys like Benjamin Morrison into first-round talents. Having that kind of continuity in the secondary is why Notre Dame’s pass defense has been top-tier for three straight seasons.
The 2026 Notre Dame football coaching staff is built on a "best of both worlds" philosophy. You have the veterans (Denbrock, Partridge, Ash) and the rising stars (Guidugli, Mickens, Brown).
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at how this staff impacts the actual games, here is what you need to watch for:
- Watch the Defensive Line Rotation: With Charlie Partridge taking the reigns, expect the Irish to play more bodies up front. He’s a big believer in keeping guys fresh for the fourth quarter.
- The Denbrock Second-Year Jump: Historically, Mike Denbrock’s offenses take a massive leap in year two as the players become fluent in the terminology. Expect more "tempo" and fewer "look-over-to-the-sideline" moments.
- Linebacker Growth: Al Washington moving to linebackers is a gamble on his versatility. Watch how guys like Drayk Bowen and Jaiden Ausberry develop under his more "defensive-line-centric" view of the run game.
- Recruiting Momentum: With Ja'Juan Seider and Mike Brown leading the charge, the Irish are no longer just "national" recruiters; they are "territorial" assassins.
The standard at Notre Dame is no longer just "making the playoff." It's winning it. With Freeman locked in and a staff full of NFL-caliber developers, the pieces are finally in place. They’ve got the stability. They’ve got the talent. Now, they just have to go finish the job.