Notre Dame’s offseason took a hit when two key defensive assistants - Mike Mickens and Al Washington - left the program for NFL opportunities. Mickens joined Jesse Minter’s staff with the Baltimore Ravens, while Washington took his talents to Miami to work under Jeff Hafley with the Dolphins. Losing two experienced position coaches in one swoop is never ideal, especially for a defense that’s been a backbone of the Irish identity under Marcus Freeman.
But Notre Dame didn’t waste time licking its wounds. The Irish made a bold move to fill the void at cornerbacks coach by bringing in former Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry - a rising name in coaching circles. And now, all signs point to another strong addition on the horizon: Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is expected to join the staff.
If that name rings a bell, it should. Jean-Mary has spent more than two decades coaching at the college level, and he’s built a reputation as both a technician and a recruiter.
With over 24 years of experience, four conference titles, and 20 bowl games under his belt, he’s been a steady presence on the sidelines for programs like Louisville, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Texas, and Michigan. Let’s take a closer look at why Jean-Mary looks like a home-run hire for the Irish - and what his track record tells us about what he could bring to South Bend.
Turning Tennessee’s Linebackers into a Wrecking Crew
During his three-year stint at Tennessee, Jean-Mary helped mold the Volunteers’ linebackers into one of the SEC’s most disruptive units. Under his guidance, Tennessee ranked in the top 10 nationally in tackles for loss every season he was on staff - a mark of consistent aggression and sound fundamentals. One season, they cracked the top 10 in sacks as well, showing they could get after the quarterback with regularity.
A standout during that stretch was Jeremy Banks, who in 2021 posted 128 total tackles - the most by a Vols linebacker in nearly a decade. Banks became the anchor of a defense that played with edge and energy, and Jean-Mary’s fingerprints were all over that development. It’s not just about raw numbers - it’s about how his linebackers played: fast, physical, and fundamentally sound.
Building a Top-25 Defense at Texas
Before his time in Knoxville, Jean-Mary spent two seasons at Texas, where he served as both linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. And once again, the results spoke for themselves.
Four of his linebackers earned All-Big 12 honors during that stretch, including Jordan Hicks, who put together a monster campaign with 147 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Hicks would go on to earn All-American recognition - a testament not only to his talent but also to Jean-Mary’s ability to maximize it.
That Texas defense didn’t just hold its own - it excelled in key areas. The Longhorns led the nation in fumble recoveries and finished top 25 in several other defensive categories.
They also averaged more than three sacks per game, landing inside the top 15 nationally in that metric. That kind of pressure up front starts with smart, disciplined linebacker play - and Jean-Mary delivered.
A Proven Recruiter with NFL Results
One of the biggest reasons this move makes sense for Notre Dame is Jean-Mary’s recruiting chops. Marcus Freeman has emphasized recruiting since day one, and Jean-Mary fits right into that vision.
He’s helped land top-15 recruiting classes at multiple stops, including Texas and Tennessee, and has also played a key role in strong classes at Michigan and Georgia Tech. But more importantly, he’s shown he can turn those highly rated recruits into NFL-ready players. Seven linebackers coached by Jean-Mary have gone on to hear their names called in the NFL Draft - a clear indicator that he’s not just selling a vision to recruits, but delivering on it.
Why It Matters for Notre Dame
Replacing someone like Mike Mickens - a strong recruiter and respected developer of talent - was never going to be easy. But Notre Dame appears to have found a coach in Brian Jean-Mary who checks both of those boxes. He brings a wealth of experience, a proven track record of building tough, productive linebacker units, and the ability to recruit at a high level across multiple regions.
With Aaron Henry already on board and Jean-Mary likely to follow, Notre Dame’s defensive staff is shaping up to be both experienced and dynamic. The Irish may have lost two key pieces, but they’re reloading - not rebuilding. And with Jean-Mary in the fold, the linebacker room in South Bend could be in very good hands.