SOUTH BEND -- Notre Dame football announced on Saturday the hiring of Chris Ash as its new defensive coordinator.
"Chris' experience of coordinating and leading great defensive units at multiple places really resonated with me," Irish football coach Marcus Freeman said in a statement. "His experience both in the NFL and as a head coach are valuable assets he can bring to our program."
Ash, 51, spent the 2024 season as a scout for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars following two seasons as a defensive backs coach with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2021 Ash coached safeties for a 3-14 Jaguars team under mentor Urban Meyer, who was fired after 13 games.
According to the news release, "The hiring will be effective at the conclusion of the University's standard employment process."
A native of Ottumwa, Iowa and a 1996 graduate of Drake University, Ash last served as a college coordinator in 2020 at Texas. From 2016-19 at Rutgers, Ash went 8-32 as a head coach, losing 26 of 29 games in the Big Ten Conference.
Source: Former Rutgers coach Chris Ash chosen as next Notre Dame football defensive coordinator
Ash, who played safety at Drake for head coach Rob Ash (no relation), went on to coordinate defenses at Drake, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Ohio State. The Buckeyes won the 2014 College Football Playoff title with Ash as co-DC along with Luke Fickell, now head coach at Wisconsin.
Added Freeman: "Chris has a great reputation of being a coach who builds strong relationships, while simultaneously developing his players, and that makes him a great fit for this role."
Ash follows Al Golden, who returned to the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 22 after three seasons running the Irish defense. Notre Dame tied for fourth with Army in scoring defense in 2024, allowing 15.5 points per game.
Golden's three immediate predecessors at Notre Dame were Freeman (2021), Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea (2018-20) and Texas A&M coach Mike Elko (2017).
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.