What Notre Dame Hiring Ja’Juan Seider and Chris Ash Says About Marcus Freeman

In the world of college football, coaching hires are often a reflection of a head coach’s values, vision, and long-term strategy. In this case, Notre Dame’s decision to hire Ja’Juan Seider and Chris Ash provides a window into the evolving approach and leadership style of Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish’s head coach. With these hires, Freeman is not only shaping the future of the program, but also signaling his commitment to building a balanced, dynamic, and competitive team on all sides of the ball. This article will explore the deeper implications of these coaching hires, examining how they reflect Freeman’s evolving philosophy and what they mean for the program’s future.

The Significance of Ja’Juan Seider’s Hire

Ja’Juan Seider’s hire as the new running backs coach at Notre Dame is a move that holds immense promise for the program. Seider, a well-respected coach with a wealth of experience and success at the collegiate level, comes to Notre Dame after spending time at Florida, where he was part of an offensive staff that developed one of the most explosive running games in the SEC. His expertise in recruiting and developing top-tier talent, particularly at the running back position, aligns with Freeman’s goal of increasing the athleticism and explosiveness of Notre Dame’s offense.

Seider’s Recruiting Prowess

One of the most critical aspects of Seider’s background is his reputation as an elite recruiter. At Florida, he was instrumental in attracting high-level recruits, particularly at running back. The ability to bring in elite talent at a position that has historically been a cornerstone of the Fighting Irish offense cannot be understated. Notre Dame, while known for its storied history and national appeal, has faced challenges in attracting the top-tier skill position players that schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State consistently reel in.

Seider’s reputation on the recruiting trail, which stretches into Florida and beyond, is expected to help bridge that gap. Freeman, whose own recruiting acumen has been widely praised since taking over as head coach, appears to be setting a strategy where the development of talent in key positions, such as running back, will be a critical piece of building a championship-caliber team.

Developing the Running Game

Seider’s appointment speaks to Freeman’s desire to establish a running game that complements Notre Dame’s balanced offensive philosophy. Under Freeman’s leadership, the Fighting Irish offense has shown flashes of brilliance but has at times lacked consistency in the run game. Freeman and his offensive coordinator, Jared Parker, have worked to establish an identity that blends a strong, physical running attack with the dynamic passing game. By hiring Seider, Freeman is ensuring that the backfield will have the leadership and coaching it needs to thrive in the coming seasons.

Seider’s ability to develop running backs has already been proven at previous stops, including his tenure at West Virginia, where he coached standout backs like Justin Crawford and Kennedy McKoy. Under his tutelage, Florida’s stable of running backs developed a reputation for their ability to make plays both in the open field and between the tackles. With Seider now in charge, the Fighting Irish will look to build on this success and elevate their running game to new heights, which could be the difference-maker in big games against elite opponents.

The Significance of Chris Ash’s Hire

Chris Ash’s hiring as the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame is equally important, if not more so, in terms of how it reflects Marcus Freeman’s leadership philosophy and vision for the program. Ash, who has a proven track record as a defensive coordinator and head coach, is tasked with continuing Freeman’s defensive legacy while implementing his own unique style.

Experience in Developing Defenses

Ash brings a wealth of experience to Notre Dame’s defensive staff. After his tenure as the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, where he helped guide the Buckeyes to a national championship, Ash went on to serve as the head coach at Rutgers. His time at Ohio State was marked by a stout and disciplined defense that was one of the best in the nation, a characteristic Freeman is likely looking to replicate at Notre Dame.

While Freeman himself is known for his defensive acumen, having played linebacker at Ohio State and served as a defensive coordinator at Cincinnati before his promotion to head coach at Notre Dame, the hire of Ash signals Freeman’s desire to bolster his defensive staff with experience and expertise. Ash’s familiarity with Big Ten offenses and his ability to craft game plans against top-tier teams like Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State will be a tremendous asset for Freeman.

The Need for Defensive Innovation

In an era where high-scoring offenses dominate college football, defensive innovation is crucial. Freeman’s Notre Dame defenses have been solid, but hiring a coach like Ash shows Freeman’s willingness to push the boundaries and refine his defensive scheme to be even more competitive in the modern landscape of college football. Ash is known for his ability to design complex defenses that are versatile, aggressive, and capable of handling a variety of offensive schemes.

Notre Dame’s defense under Freeman has already been strong, but with Ash coming in to lead the defensive unit, Freeman now has a team of defensive coaches who can mix traditional, hard-nosed football with a modern, high-pressure approach. This means Notre Dame will be prepared to face the variety of offensive styles they will encounter, whether it’s spread offenses, pro-style attacks, or high-tempo units that are becoming increasingly prevalent in college football.

The Big Ten Connection

Both Freeman and Ash share a history in the Big Ten, and their time spent coaching in the conference could be an important factor in Notre Dame’s future success. As a conference known for its tough, physical style of play, the Big Ten provides a blueprint for building strong defenses and developing balanced teams. Ash’s experience in the conference could help Freeman in recruiting battles, particularly with players from the Midwest, and in preparing for teams that play similar styles.

With Ash’s connection to Big Ten football and Freeman’s own ties to the conference, Notre Dame’s defense could see significant improvements in terms of toughness and strategic versatility. This will be particularly important when facing teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, all of which are known for their physicality.

Freeman’s Evolving Philosophy

The hiring of Seider and Ash provides insight into Marcus Freeman’s evolving philosophy as the head coach at Notre Dame. From a broader perspective, these hires reflect Freeman’s commitment to building a well-rounded, balanced football team that can compete at the highest level.

A Stronger Focus on Recruiting

One of Freeman’s primary objectives since taking over as head coach has been to strengthen the recruiting base at Notre Dame. While the program has traditionally had strong ties to talent-rich areas like the Midwest and California, Freeman is looking to expand that network, with an emphasis on the southeastern United States. Seider’s expertise in recruiting Florida and the South, combined with Ash’s connections to the Midwest, provides Freeman with the tools to broaden the scope of Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts.

Additionally, Freeman’s recruiting style is more in line with the modern trends in college football, focusing on building relationships with high school coaches, leveraging Notre Dame’s national brand, and investing in the development of players at every position. By hiring Seider, a coach known for his ability to develop running backs, and Ash, a coach with deep defensive expertise, Freeman is ensuring that both sides of the ball are well-equipped to compete with the nation’s elite programs.

Building a Championship-Caliber Program

Freeman’s long-term vision for Notre Dame is clear: to build a championship-caliber program that can compete on the national stage year in and year out. The hires of Seider and Ash reflect that ambition, as both coaches bring a track record of success at some of the top programs in college football. Freeman’s ability to assemble a staff that is capable of developing elite players, crafting innovative game plans, and recruiting at a high level shows that he is serious about taking Notre Dame back to the top of college football.

The hiring of Ja’Juan Seider and Chris Ash is a major step forward for Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program. These hires highlight Freeman’s commitment to building a program that is balanced, dynamic, and capable of competing with the best teams in college football. With Seider’s expertise in recruiting and developing running backs and Ash’s proven track record of success as a defensive coordinator, Freeman has strengthened both sides of the ball and positioned Notre Dame for future success.

Ultimately, these coaching hires provide a glimpse into Freeman’s leadership style and vision for the Fighting Irish. Freeman understands that to compete at the highest level, a team must be strong in all areas: recruiting, player development, game planning, and coaching expertise. By bringing in Seider and Ash, Freeman is taking bold steps toward realizing his goal of returning Notre Dame to the pinnacle of college football. As Freeman continues to shape the future of the program, these hires will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the program’s continued growth and success.