Al Washington - DL Coach & Def. Run Game Coordinator

[BleedBlueGold]

Is this just a paper move? Meaning, he adds the title to his resume and gets a pay increase in order to keep him at ND?

 

[EvilleIrish]

Wasn’t he a disaster as LB coach at OSU?

 

[Irish#1]

Most likely

 

[IrishInOntario]

Is this just a paper move? Meaning, he adds the title to his resume and gets a pay increase in order to keep him at ND?

I genuinely expect that he will be coaching the linebackers to replace Max Bullough and that ND will bring in another defensive line coach to backfill the move.

 

[NDMatt91]

With 2026 being the last year for Sneed and Bowen and 2027 being the last year for Ausberry and likely KVA, Linebacker recruiting is going to be crucial. Outside of Faraimo, I'm not particularly high on any of the other young Linebackers who will be on the 2026 roster. I think Sacca ultimately moves to Defensive End. We're going to need some Linebackers in the 2027 and 2028 classes who can step in and contribute. Hopefully Washington is up to the task.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I genuinely expect that he will be coaching the linebackers to replace Max Bullough and that ND will bring in another defensive line coach to backfill the move.

I originally thought this too, but he's also the Run Game Cord. Is he still maintaining that title?

 

[Huntr]

This is the kind of glazing from the beat that I can get behind.

"...elevating Al Washington to LBs coach, a move seen as critical to Washington’s upward career arc."

Yes, elevating. Exactly. Yes.

 

[notredomer23]

Believe one of the pods (apologies, the holidays have been a haze) talked about this and Charlie Partridge was mentioned for DL coach. Would be a grand slam hire while also keeping Washington on staff for what my guess is 1 more year.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Hope he picked up some tips and drills from Bullough past couple years

 

[GoldenAura]

Believe one of the pods (apologies, the holidays have been a haze) talked about this and Charlie Partridge was mentioned for DL coach. Would be a grand slam hire while also keeping Washington on staff for what my guess is 1 more year.

Yeah I'm hoping the Partridge rumor comes to fruition. If we can land some high quality DL transfers + Partridge, we're really gonna be cookin next year.

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Believe one of the pods (apologies, the holidays have been a haze) talked about this and Charlie Partridge was mentioned for DL coach. Would be a grand slam hire while also keeping Washington on staff for what my guess is 1 more year.

Yeah. I think Washington is taking a DC or HC job after next year. Earlier there was talk about the BC DC job and how it wouldn't be smart because BOB is on the hot seat. Maybe one more year on staff with a strong postseason run and BC gives him the HC job if they get rid of BOB.

And if that is the thought, maybe this helps us retain Tre Reader. We keep him as assistant LB coach for a year, and if Washington does leave, then we just elevate him to the full time position if we like how he does.

 

[jpachuta33]

Partridge looks like a complete asshole… lol

 

[RudyVerse]

View attachment 3061976

Partridge looks like a complete asshole… lol

That's what you want. Seen Cignetti? Guy wouldn't rescue an injured cat. All dog.

The game was over before it started:

 

[rtrn2glory]

If we're able to poach a NFL DL coach for the same position I'd be impressed

 

[GoldenAura]

If we're able to poach a NFL DL coach for the same position I'd be impressed

With any luck, the Colts coaching staff and front office might finally implode on Monday morning. And while he might have interest from other NFL teams, perhaps he's realized he likes college coaching better. We'll see.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I would make a run at Larry Black. Former ND asst, currently at Vandy.

 

[CoachB]

I don't know much about Partridge is he a good coach/recruiter?

 

[irishff1014]

If we're able to poach a NFL DL coach for the same position I'd be impressed

I agree.

But this might be the staff in going to have turnover.

 

[GoldenAura]

I don't know much about Partridge is he a good coach/recruiter?

I don't know anything about his recruiting ability but his groups are almost always very high in Sacks & TFLs

 

[jpachuta33]

I would make a run at Larry Black. Former ND asst, currently at Vandy.

Now THIS would be an excellent hire. I was his teammate in the Ohio North vs South all-star game. His personality would be a great fit in South Bend. The DL would absolutely love him and more importantly, they’d be productive.

 

[stlnd01]

This is the kind of glazing from the beat that I can get behind.

"...elevating Al Washington to LBs coach, a move seen as critical to Washington’s upward career arc."

Yes, elevating. Exactly. Yes.

Yeah I don’t really understand how going from DL coach to LB coach is an elevation. But whatever. If it means we can upgrade overall on the defensive coaching staff, I’m all for it.
Al’s a good enough coach and the LB room has a lot fewer question marks than the DL. Go get an elite coach for the line.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Yeah I don’t really understand how going from DL coach to LB coach is an elevation. But whatever. If it means we can upgrade overall on the defensive coaching staff, I’m all for it.
Al’s a good enough coach and the LB room has a lot fewer question marks than the DL. Go get an elite coach for the line.

Back during the BK to MFMF transition, even before the Fiesta Bowl, it was mentioned by Jamie at ISD that most DCs are LB or Safeties guys, because of the coverage responsibilities of those position groups. That's the only thing that makes sense to me.

 

[RudyVerse]

Yeah I don’t really understand how going from DL coach to LB coach is an elevation. But whatever. If it means we can upgrade overall on the defensive coaching staff, I’m all for it.
Al’s a good enough coach and the LB room has a lot fewer question marks than the DL. Go get an elite coach for the line.

Not an elevation but when you've twice coached LBs at two schools, and shown your metal at DL, you are priming yourself for a first time DC job.

 

[Katzenboyer]

ISD saying ND is expecting to name a new DL coach. So this isn’t simply adding a title to Washington’s current position.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Seems to me at least it'll be pretty important to get a guy named ASAP considering a lot of dudes in the portal will want to know who's coaching them

 

[GoIrish41]

View attachment 3061976

Partridge looks like a complete asshole… lol

Driskell’s brother?

 

[rikkitikki08]

Seems to me at least it'll be pretty important to get a guy named ASAP considering a lot of dudes in the portal will want to know who's coaching them

They probably are telling them who, they just haven’t announced it to the world until after the colts lose on Sunday

 

[Crazy Balki]

I don't know anything about his recruiting ability but his groups are almost always very high in Sacks & TFLs

Singer wrote an article for top candidates and Partridge was at the top. If we land him, that's a massive win for Freeman.

Partridge was excellent at Pitt, and seemed to churn out excellent pass rushes on a yearly basis. Even going back to his Wisconsin days with Ash, this dude was developing absolute units up front. One of the guys who developed under Partridge was a dude by the name of Justin James Watt.

 

[IrishLax]

 

[GoldenAura]

We'll have to get the thread title changed for Al's new role.