Chad Bowden Named Notre Dame General Manager
The General Manager title has become a common theme in the Bowden household.
Jim Bowden was named GM of the Cincinnati Reds at 31 in 1992. Now, Chad Bowden, who turned 30 in February, will hold the same title as his father as he’s been officially named GM of the Notre Dame football program - well the technical title will be Associate AD of Player Personnel.
It’s a role Bowden was born to be in, but it took hard work and there is no question he learned from his father given he grew up around the Reds organization.
“I think for me, it's the reason I am who I am today,” Bowden told ISD in 2022. “My dad was brash, cocky, arrogant, but was also really hard-working and understood talent, understood player personnel, understood people.
“He was a big public figure in the city of Cincinnati. He was able to bring in Ken Griffey Jr. and I was part of that. I was able to watch that and able to watch him work day to day.”
The promotion from Director of Recruiting isn’t necessarily a surprise if you follow Notre Dame football, as new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore made a push to get Bowden to Ann Arbor in January.
Bowden turned the reigning national champions down to stay with the Irish and Marcus Freeman, who first hired him at Cincinnati and was a piece the Notre Dame head coach wanted when he accepted the defensive coordinator job in 2021.
Notre Dame has also seen its recruiting efforts grow in several ways, from creative to welcoming recruits to campus and aggressively landing top talent.
"Chad’s elite at what he does and the opportunity for him to lead our entire personnel staff is to me something that's earned,” stated Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “He's earned that right. He's doing a great job and as I said he does such a good job of what he does. That's not just connecting with recruits but planning and leading a group of people and evaluations."
First impressions are critical in most real-life interactions, and in recruiting, they can be make or break. Bowden has thrived in this area, but it can be very different depending on the recruit and family.
Yet at the core, Bowden’s passion for the job and Notre Dame resonates with just about every recruit who steps foot on campus.
“Chad’s a character,” stated early enrollee running Kedren Young. “He’s also great at his job. He’s passionate about his job. You can tell he loves the program just as much as everybody else. That was kind of the start of my love for here.”
Freshman offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp arrived on campus without an offer from the Irish for his first visit. The Georgia native spent the early morning hours of his visit learning everything about Notre Dame, minus anything about the football program, and it left a lasting impression.
“I was sitting here at 6 a.m. and he was talking to me and didn’t say one thing about football,” explained Knapp. “It was about the 4-for-40, so it was straight school. The first three hours of my visit, I didn’t hear football and I didn’t meet any coaches. It was straight school.
“Visiting all these schools - it was something that stuck out to me. It’s a reality check almost. This is more than just football. Chad brought that to my eyes.”
The passion and ability to connect with various personalities is a strength, but Bowden’s infectious energy has also been highlighted since he arrived in South Bend.
Bowden agreed to shave his head if Jaden Greathouse committed. He also made a deal with 2024 signees Micah Gilbert and Bryce Young that he would jump in a lake on a cold day last April, which, according to Gilbert, Bowden still needs to follow through on.
“You walk in a room and he makes you feel like you're wanted,” said freshman receiver Cam Williams. “Like your presence is important. Always 1,000 out of 100 energy level with that guy. That's what I like.”
There is also a serious side to Bowden as he also understands when his presence is needed. For Williams, it came in December when he saw Notre Dame part ways with his position coach weeks before signing day.
Bowden and then offensive coordinator Gerad Parker were immediately at Williams’ high school to explain the situation face-to-face and show how much he cared about the Chicagoland native.
“It's like his care and just how much passion he has behind it,” Williams explained. “My best memory (of him) is probably, he came and visited during, I think it was in December, and it's just how he interacts.
“He was talking about teachers and stuff. He thanked them for helping me and guiding me. He cares about all of us and cares about getting us here. Obviously, that's what he's there for, but he's just really good at doing that. We're happy to still have him.”
Perhaps the most telling piece of Bowden’s personality and makeup is how the parents feel about him. It’s one thing to impress a high school athlete, but Bowden can also connect with everyone in the family.
Jimmy Saldate, the father of 2024 receiver signee Logan Saldate, appreciates Bowden’s ability to balance recruiting and relationships while not giving false promises.
“Chad’s excitement alone is infectious and has spread throughout our whole family because of the guy he is,” stated Saldate. “He’s become a great friend of ours.
“I respect him. It’s a business. He needs to keep his job, so he has to go recruit someone as good as your son or better the next year and then top that. He has to try to top it every year or he’ll eventually lose his job. He’s a straight shooter. There is no guaranteeing anything. There aren’t any promises. That’s the way life is and I like it. He’s just a straightforward guy.”
Notre Dame signed a top 10 class in 2024 and currently holds the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2025. And it doesn’t appear the Irish are slowing down anytime soon.
“Chad, he’s probably one of the best at his job, said Gilbert. “There’s nothing better to say about Chad. Chad is amazing.”
Chad Bowden | In Focus | Backstory Pt. I
Chad Bowden | In Focus | Backstory Pt. II
Chad Bowden | In Focus | Recruiting Championships
Chad Bowden | In Focus | Talking (Or Not Talking) NIL
Chad Bowden | In Focus | The Podcast
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