Notre Dame has been in the market for a linebackers coach since December 18, when Max Bullough left the program to become co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, Michigan State.
It appears Marcus Freeman has found his replacement in Al Washington, who is expected to move from defensive line to the second level of the Irish defense in 2026, according to multiple sources.
Washington is no stranger to coaching linebackers, as this will mark his third stint at the position. He coached linebackers at Elon in 2011 before taking on the role at Michigan in 2018 and Ohio State from 2019–2021.
During his lone season at Michigan, Washington helped develop Devin Bush, Khaleke Hudson, and Josh Uche. Bush was named Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and a Consensus All-American under Washington’s guidance, while Hudson and Uche earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
At Ohio State, Washington coached several All-Conference selections, including Tuf Borland, Steele Chambers, Baron Browning, and Pete Werner. In 2020, Werner, a former Notre Dame commit, was named a Butkus Award semifinalist.
The move to linebackers makes sense for both Freeman and Washington. For Washington, it allows him to expand his résumé further as he continues to position himself for a future defensive coordinator opportunity, a role his alma mater, Boston College, had strong interest in this offseason.
Notre Dame’s defensive line finished the regular season No. 1 in the country in total pressures and No. 4 in sacks behind Washington’s guidance in 2025.
For Notre Dame, the transition allows a veteran linebacking corps to be coached by a familiar voice while adding proven experience at the position.
Washington has already worked with several of the current linebackers. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaylen Sneed frequently drop down to the edge on third down and have spent time under Washington’s direction over the past few seasons.
His experience developing hybrid defenders like Browning and Uche closely mirrors the skill sets of Viliamu-Asa and Madden Faraimo.
The move also opens a vacancy on Freeman’s staff at defensive line, a position that should not be difficult to fill given Notre Dame’s returning talent and incoming young players.
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