Notre Dame has its third linebacker coach in less than three months as Marcus Freeman is expected to hire Brian Jean-Mary per multiple sources.
Matt Zenitz was first to report.
Jean-Mary arrives at Notre Dame after accepting a job at Georgia Tech and spending the past two years at Michigan. The Apopka (Fla.) native Jean-Mary previously coached Michigan linebackers during the 2020 season before spending three years at Tennessee (2021–23).
In 2024, Jean-Mary led a Michigan linebacker unit that was part of the nation’s No. 10-ranked total defense. The Wolverines finished No. 5 nationally against the run, holding eight opponents under 100 rushing yards. Ernest Hausmann earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Jimmy Rolder also produced the most productive season of his career.
At Tennessee, Jean-Mary helped the Volunteers rank Top 10 nationally in tackles for loss in all three seasons and Top 10 in sacks once.
Tennessee finished Top 20 nationally in both rushing defense and red zone defense twice during his tenure. In his first season, linebacker Jeremy Banks recorded 128 tackles, the most by a Vols linebacker since 2012, as the defense doubled its tackles-for-loss total.
During his time at Texas, Jean-Mary coached four All-Big 12 linebackers, including All-American Jordan Hicks, who was a third-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Appalachian State alum has coached 10 players who were selected in the NFL Draft, including first-round picks Calvin Pryor (Louisville, 2014) and Marcus Smith (Louisville, 2014). Other draft selections include Johnny Patrick, Lorenzo Mauldin, Greg Scruggs, Cameron McGrone, Jordan Hicks, Preston Brown, Deiontrez Mount, Gerris Wilkinson, and Philip Wheeler.
According to John Brice at FootballScoop.com, Jean-Mary’s contract is a unique situation.
“Jean-Mary still is under contract with Michigan,” Brice reports. “This element means that the Wolverines will be on the hook for part of Jean-Mary's salary through at least the next calendar year. Michigan had awarded Jean-Mary a contract that ran through at least early 2027 and paid Jean-Mary an average of more than $900,000 annually.”
THE JEAN-MARY FILE
2000: Louisville - Graduate Assistant
2001-02: South Carolina - Graduate Assistant
2003: North Alabama - Secondary
2004-09: Georgia Tech - Linebackers
2010-14: Louisville - Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers
2015-16: Texas - Linebackers and Recruiting Coordinator
2017-19: South Florida - Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers
2020: Michigan - Linebackers
2021-2023: Tennessee - Linebacker
2024-25: Michigan - Linebackers and Defensive Run Game Coordinator
2026: Georgia Tech - Accepted linebackers job
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