Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are still stinging from the playoff snub. Despite going 10-2 in the season, the Fighting Irish couldn’t make a water-tight case for the playoffs. So, this time, they are not leaving any stone unturned and have added an important asset to their coaching staff.
Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame Might Finally Have Their Man
In a move to further solidify an already formidable coaching room, Freeman and the Fighting Irish are expected to hire former Wake Forest standout LB Chase Jones as a defensive analyst. The FootballScoop’s John Brice first reported this news.
The hire brings a high-IQ former player and rising coaching star to South Bend as the Irish prepare for the 2026 season.
Jones arrives at ‘The Bend’ with a resume defined by leadership and production. A two-time captain for the Demon Deacons, Jones was the heartbeat of the Wake Forest defense during his playing days, tallying 208 career tackles and 13 tackles for loss.
More importantly for his new role, Jones spent the last year as a graduate assistant working with linebackers in Winston-Salem, helping translate his on-field ‘quarterback of the defense’ mentality into a coaching framework. But how exactly does Jones fit in?
BREAKING: Notre Dame has hired Former Standout Wake Forest LB Chase Jones as a Defensive Assistant, according to John Brice of Football Scoop!
Jones was a two time Team Captain for the Demon Deacons. This past year he was a Defensive Assistant/Assistant LB’s Coach for Wake… pic.twitter.com/Dvq8VCxGt8
— Ryan Fravel (@Fravel_Ryan) February 14, 2026
Despite prolific offense, the defense faced a specific hurdle, replacing veteran versatility and pre-snap communication. Last season, the Irish felt Jack Kiser’s departure, whose ability to play multiple linebacker roles and call out adjustments acted as a stabilizing force.
While young talents like Drayk Bowen and Jaiden Ausberry showed flashes of brilliance and elite athleticism, the unit occasionally struggled with consistency and, as a result, was outmatched by complex offensive schemes. So, Jones’ addition is a strategic move to sharpen the linebacker room’s mental edge.
In addition, Jones can provide the ‘player-to-coach’ perspective that helps young linebackers diagnose run lanes faster. It was a key area of improvement already identified during the 2025 season.
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But can he fill the void left by Jevaughn Codlin, who recently departed for North Texas? It will be critical for Notre Dame to rely on detailed scouting and player development to compete for a National Championship.
But as the Irish bolster their staff, all eyes remain on their quarterback, CJ Carr, who ended the season with an impact score of 85.9 per PFSN CFB QB Impact. After a standout 2025 debut with 2,741 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, the Heisman hopeful provides the stability under center needed to complement the team’s defensive reinforcements.
If Jones’ hire works out without any hiccups, the Irish could emerge as a threat to others. So, when the Irish take the field at the Spring Game next, all eyes will be on them.
