Notre Dame’s defensive overhaul just added a major piece in Brian Jean-Mary, who officially joins Marcus Freeman’s staff as Linebackers Coach and Run Game Coordinator. It’s a move that brings a battle-tested voice to the Irish sideline-one with a clear track record of building stout run defenses and developing linebacker talent across some of college football’s biggest stages.
Jean-Mary arrives in South Bend after two seasons at Michigan, where he held the same title. While he had recently accepted a position at Georgia Tech, Notre Dame’s opening created a late pivot-and a big opportunity for both sides.
He steps in to replace Max Bullough, who left this offseason to take a co-Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach role at Michigan State, his alma mater. Technically, Jean-Mary fills a spot most recently held by Al Washington, who shifted to linebackers after Bullough’s departure before taking a job with the Miami Dolphins.
With Jean-Mary’s hire, Notre Dame’s defensive staff is now fully retooled. He joins Charlie Partridge (defensive line) and Aaron Henry (secondary), rounding out a new-look group under Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash. Interestingly, Jean-Mary is the only new assistant without prior experience working alongside Ash-a fresh dynamic that could add some new flavor to the Irish defense.
What Notre Dame is getting in Jean-Mary is a coach with deep roots and a proven résumé. Before Michigan, he coached linebackers at Tennessee, where his units were consistently among the SEC’s best against the run.
In 2023, Tennessee finished 22nd in scoring defense and 21st in rush defense, also ranking 12th in fewest yards allowed per carry. The year prior, the Vols were 21st in rush defense and 11th in yards per carry allowed.
That kind of consistency speaks volumes, especially in a league known for physicality and trench warfare.
His coaching journey has taken him through some of the sport’s top programs. From 2017-19, Jean-Mary served as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at South Florida.
Before that, he spent three years at Texas (2014-16) as Linebackers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. He was also part of Charlie Strong’s staff at Louisville from 2010-13, where he held the titles of Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach.
His first Division I stop came at Georgia Tech, where he coached linebackers from 2004-09.
There’s also a subtle thread of Notre Dame history woven into Jean-Mary’s background. Early in his career, he was a graduate assistant at South Carolina from 2001-02 under Lou Holtz-the legendary coach who led Notre Dame to its last national title in 1988. Jean-Mary also has long-standing ties to Charlie Strong, a former Irish assistant who worked in South Bend from 1995-98 and later brought Jean-Mary onto his staffs at multiple stops.
Statistically, Jean-Mary’s impact has been clear. Michigan ranked 19th and 29th in scoring defense over the last two seasons, while finishing 5th and 19th in rushing defense.
That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of production that wins games in November and makes life miserable for opposing offensive lines. And now, he brings that mindset to a Notre Dame defense that’s aiming to take the next step under Freeman and Ash.
With a revamped staff in place and Jean-Mary anchoring the linebacker room, the Irish are clearly making a statement: this defense is being built to stop the run, control the trenches, and set the tone. Jean-Mary’s arrival isn’t just another hire-it’s a strategic move to reinforce Notre Dame’s identity on that side of the ball.
The pieces are in place. Now we get to see how they fit together.