A Golden Defense Turned to Ashes: Chris Ash Hire Haunting Notre Dame Early
- Brenden Duffy
- Sep 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Art by The Irish Tribune
When Notre Dame announced the hiring of Chris Ash, many Irish fans were underwhelmed; however, the trust Marcus Freeman earned during last season’s CFP run was enough to overlook the move at the time.
Two games into Ash’s Irish tenure, and things are not going smoothly following back-to-back ranked losses where blame can be placed upon the defense. Perhaps some of the issue lies with the personnel, but regardless, there is enough talent on that side of the ball to be at least a top-25 defense. It is up to Ash and Freeman to best utilize the talent, which they have failed to do for two weeks.
So, given this disappointing start to the year defensively, we checked in around the country on other newly hired Defensive Coordinators. It is important to note that Notre Dame’s strength of schedule is currently first, per ESPN. No other team in the country has had a tougher first two games in three weeks than the Irish. Again, it is early in the year, and things can change dramatically by the end of the season, but here we go.
Chris Ash, Notre Dame
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Wisconsin DC (2011-12), Arkansas DC (2013), Ohio State co-DC (2014-15), Rutgers HC (2016-19), Texas DC (2020), NFL Secondary Coach (2021-23)Â
Record: 0-2; 24-27 at Miami, 40-41 vs Texas A&M
Defense Stats (National Rank): 34 PPG (tied-118th), 413.5 Total YPG (108th), 282.5 Pass YPG (126th), 131 Rush YPG (68th)
Notes: As previously mentioned, Ash and the Irish did have to open with the toughest schedule in the country, but that should not faze a Notre Dame defense the way it has. As the season rolls on, these numbers will improve, but it will be interesting to see by just how much. In my opinion, they need to drastically improve to even begin defending Ash as a good hire.
Tom Allen, Clemson
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: USF DC (2015), Indiana HC (2016-23), Penn State DC (2024)
Record: 1-2; 10-17 vs LSU, 27-16 vs Troy, 21-24 at Georgia Tech
Defense Stats (National Rank): 19 PPG (tied-53rd), 338.3 Total YPG (74th), 227.3 Pass YPG (94th), 111 Rush YPG (50th)
Notes: Allen’s start at Clemson has not exactly been ideal. The defense has been okay, but the same questions are being asked about both the Irish and the Tigers. On paper, Clemson has the best defense in the country with future NFL stars littered on the field. They should be among the elite, but seem to be a middle-of-the-pack squad for now. Clemson has issues everywhere on both sides of the ball, so the microscope seems to be pointed directly at Dabo Swinney rather than Allen or OC Garrett Riley. Personally, I am not sure how much better of a hire Allen would have been compared to Ash.
Tony White, Florida State
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Arizona State DC (2019), Syracuse DC (2020-22), Nebraska DC (2023-24)
Record: 2-0; 31-17 vs Alabama, 77-3 vs East Texas A&M
Defense Stats (National Rank): 10 PPG (tied-10th), 269 Total YPG (30th), 173 Pass YPG (tied-36th), 96 Rush YPG (tied-32nd)
Notes: Both of the Seminoles’ new coordinator hires seem to be paying big dividends early after a tumultuous 2024. White is known as a great recruiter and had Nebraska’s defense in the top-20 of nearly every defensive statistic last season. The former UCLA Linebacker’s name is already coming up in the Bruins’ coaching search following the firing of Deshaun Foster.
Blake Gideon, Georgia Tech
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Houston Special Teams Coordinator (ST) /Safeties Coach (S) (2019), Ole Miss ST (2020), Texas S (2021-24)
Record: 3-0; 27-20 at Colorado, 59-12 vs Gardner-Webb, 24-21 vs Clemson
Defense Stats (National Rank): 17.7 PPG (tied-45th), 337.3 Total YPG (tied-69th), 191.7 Pass YPG (tied-53rd), 145.67 Rush YPG (86th)
Notes: I can not blame Notre Dame for not seeking out Gideon because they may as well have promoted Mike Mickens if you want a top-end secondary coach running the defense. Last season at Texas, Gideon was named the Defensive Backs Coach of the Year by Football Scoop after leading the country in interceptions and passing yards allowed per attempt. He had a direct hand in the development of Michael Taafe, Andrew Mukuba, and last year’s Jim Thorpe Award winner, Jahdae Barron. The Yellowjackets' defense has not lost a step since losing former DC Tyler Santucci to the NFL. Gideon, just 36 years old, has a long and potentially successful coaching career ahead of him.
Corey Hetherman, Miami
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: James Madison DC (2019-21), Rutgers LBs Coach (2022-23), Minnesota DC (2024)
Record: 3-0; 27-24 vs Notre Dame, 45-3 vs Bethune-Cookman, 49-12 vs South Florida
Defense Stats (National Rank): 13 PPG (28th), 279 Total YPG (38th), 204 Pass YPG (65th), 75 Rush YPG (15th)
Notes: Last season, Hetherman had a Minnesota defense striking fear in opponents for the first time in years. The Gophers finished top-12 in points allowed, total yards allowed, rushing defense, passing defense, and interceptions. Through three games at Miami, he has the Hurricanes' rush defense playing at an insane level. The fact that Miami has faced Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Byrum Brown, and Alvon Issac and is allowing under 100 rushing yards per game is an outstanding feat. The Hurricanes’ ability to start fast has forced offenses to throw late more often in an attempt to come back. As the Notre Dame DC hiring process was mostly kept under wraps, I would hope they at least glanced at Hetherman for the opening.
Shiel Wood, Texas Tech
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Army co-DC (2020-21), Troy DC (2022), Tulane DC (2023), Houston DC (2024)
Record: 3-0; 67-7 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 62-14 vs Kent State, 45-14 vs Oregon State
Defense Stats (National Rank): 11.7 PPG (22nd), 230.7 Total YPG (15th), 189.3 Pass YPG (50th), 41.33 Rush YPG (tied-2nd)
Notes: Since taking the job at Army, Wood’s defenses have finished top-35 in total defense each year. In his one year at Houston last season, he took a defense that finished 112th in total defense in ‘23 and turned it into the 26th-best defense by total defense. With Texas Tech being big spenders in the modern-day era of NIL, it will be interesting to see how long they can hold onto the 43-year-old before he inevitably earns a head coaching role.
Jim Knowles, Penn State
Notable Previous Schools/Jobs: Duke DC (2010-17), Oklahoma State DC (2018-21), Ohio State DC (2022-24)
Record: 3-0; 46-11 vs Nevada, 34-0 vs FIU, 52-6 vs Villanova
Defense Stats (National Rank): 5.7 PPG (3rd), 224 Total YPG (tied-11th), 123.3 Pass YPG (14th), 100.67 Rush YPG (tied-37th)
Notes: The idea of Knowles coming to South Bend after the Buckeyes fumbled contract talks with the top-tier DC was certainly a pipe dream. The Philadelphia native returned to his home state with the Nittany Lions, and they have cruised through their first three contests, allowing 17 total points. When Tom Allen departed Penn State to be closer to family at Clemson, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions got their big splash with Knowles, and it appears to be an upgrade so far.
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