Decades-old collegiate ties are sparking a new era for Notre Dame's defense as Charlie Partridge and Chris Ash reunite to bolster the Irish's defensive prowess.
Notre Dame has experienced significant changes in its defensive coaching staff over the past two seasons. After the 2024 campaign, defensive coordinator Al Golden moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals, paving the way for Chris Ash to step in as the new defensive coordinator in 2025. With a 10-2 finish last season and a narrow miss of the playoffs, the Irish found themselves needing to replace all three defensive position coaches following the departures of Al Washington, Mike Mickens, and Max Bullough.
The first strategic hire was Charlie Partridge, a seasoned defensive line coach with experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels, including a stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Partridge's longstanding relationship with Ash made this hire a clear choice for head coach Marcus Freeman.
"I loved my time with the Colts and in the NFL," Partridge shared. "It was a tough decision to leave, but Notre Dame is a special place with a special head coach. My relationship with Chris made it an obvious opportunity."
Partridge and Ash's connection dates back to their playing days at Drake, a bond that has continued through various coaching roles. Now, they come together in South Bend to enhance Notre Dame's defensive line.
"We've always stayed in touch about football," Partridge noted. "Chris and I can have honest, no-nonsense conversations, which is rare. As coaches, we're all alphas, but with Chris, there's mutual respect and understanding."
Both coaches have evolved since their last collaboration, but they share a deep understanding of Notre Dame's unique environment. Ash has a year of experience as the Irish's defensive coordinator, while Partridge brings insights from his time coaching against Notre Dame with Pitt. Their history instills confidence in Partridge as they move forward.
"We love learning and watching tape," Partridge explained. "Chris has a remarkable vision on game day, seeing all the moving parts. His ability to solve problems on the fly is unmatched."
Notre Dame's defensive line is poised to be a formidable force this season. With talents like Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Keon Keeley, and others, expectations are sky-high. It's up to Partridge and Ash to mold this group into a championship-caliber unit.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Irish gear up for an exciting season!