Notre Dame will be in the market for a linebackers coach for the second time this offseason, as Al Washington is expected to leave South Bend to join the Miami Dolphins in the same role, as per multiple sources.
John Brice at FootballScoop was the first to report it.
New Miami head coach Jeff Hafley was the co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Ohio State during Washington’s first year in Columbus. Hafley was also the head coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2023, which is Washington’s alma mater.
Hafley is also expected to name current Dolphins linebacker coach Sean Duggan as his defensive coordinator and he played under Washington at Boston College.
Washington was officially promoted to linebackers coach on Jan. 7, replacing Max Bullough, who departed in December to work at Michigan State as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.
The move was a natural one for head coach Marcus Freeman, who shifted Washington from defensive line coach after his extensive experience coaching linebackers at both Michigan and Ohio State.
“When I looked at the opening, I knew what was best for our defense, but also what was best for his career was to take over the linebacker crew as our run game coordinator,” Freeman stated earlier this month. “We obviously went and got Charlie Partridge. I think more than anything, it speaks to the coach he is, and the well-rounded, diverse football coach that Al Washington is.”
Washington, who also drew interest from Boston College for its defensive coordinator opening, leaves behind one of the deepest linebacker rooms in the country.
Team captain Drayk Bowen anchors the group, while Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Madden Faraimo all return with significant experience at the second level.
The Irish also have several young linebackers poised for increased opportunities this spring, particularly with Bowen expected to miss spring practice and other veterans likely seeing reduced workloads.
Washington’s departure further underscores a period of transition for Notre Dame’s defensive staff. The Irish will now replace position coaches at all three levels of the defense this offseason.
Charlie Partridge, widely regarded as one of the nation’s top defensive line coaches, will take over the defensive front. The Irish have Marty Biagi, who works with the safety position, but Freeman is still looking to hire a replacement for Mike Mickens, who left earlier this week to join the Baltimore Ravens.
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