Chris "Belt To" Ash - Defensive Coordinator

[arrowryan]

agreed. LB might be the position with most returning experience so just get someone in there that is going to fine tune technique and reading keys without making them think too much

The secondary is returning a shit load of snaps played

 

[FollowTheFreeman]

I think we're also in a position for the first time in a long time, where coaches are calling US to apply, rather than having us beg people to come to ND.
People want to coach under Freeman. He'll have plenty of resumes to choose from.

 

[The Backer]

Bedwetters going to bedwet

• Mickens is a loss -- great at identifying CB talent even when they weren't top 100 type recruits and great at coaching up CBs. Good news for ND is now they're getting top 100 type recruits at the position, so there's more margin of error for coaching them up to be great. He struggled a bit coaching the CBs in Ash's preferred scheme. Valai might be an upgrade since he can coach what Ash wants better. Hunley, Hicks, and Belk should also do fine with the upgraded talent pool
• Washington was at his best creating and coaching runfits. He was also good at getting good contributions from average P4 talent. At OSU and ND I thought he struggled to get high-end individual play from high-end talent. With Partridge and the upgraded DL talent, this should be a major upgrade
• Bullough was pretty good at developing his position group. For 2026 the group probably doesn't need much development. There's at least 5 names that hold steady at this position

We also have to remember that 2025 was sort of a worst case scenario. Freeman all but confirmed there were personality clashes between the defensive coaches which got ironed out and the team still won 10 games. Partridge and the future LB and DB/CB coach are all going to come in as "Ash's guys." The only possible problem would be groupthink if these guys are too aligned.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Bedwetters going to bedwet

• Mickens is a loss -- great at identifying CB talent even when they weren't top 100 type recruits and great at coaching up CBs. Good news for ND is now they're getting top 100 type recruits at the position, so there's more margin of error for coaching them up to be great. He struggled a bit coaching the CBs in Ash's preferred scheme. Valai might be an upgrade since he can coach what Ash wants better. Hunley, Hicks, and Belk should also do fine with the upgraded talent pool
• Washington was at his best creating and coaching runfits. He was also good at getting good contributions from average P4 talent. At OSU and ND I thought he struggled to get high-end individual play from high-end talent. With Partridge and the upgraded DL talent, this should be a major upgrade
• Bullough was pretty good at developing his position group. For 2026 the group probably doesn't need much development. There's at least 5 names that hold steady at this position

We also have to remember that 2025 was sort of a worst case scenario. Freeman all but confirmed there were personality clashes between the defensive coaches which got ironed out and the team still won 10 games. Partridge and the future LB and DB/CB coach are all going to come in as "Ash's guys." The only possible problem would be groupthink if these guys are too aligned.

Agree with all of your bullet points.

But to the bolded...worst case scenario is right. It caused ND to miss the playoffs and a chance at a title. That's my entire point.

I'm not suggesting ND might fall of a cliff and be the worst defense in football. I'm simply injecting a healthy bit of skepticism and wondering out loud if ND will continue to be as dominant on D as they have been. I think they will. I'm just downgrading my confidence a small amount to ensure I'm not getting drunk off any Koolaid.

 

[Dale]

I'm simply injecting a healthy bit of skepticism and wondering out loud if ND will continue to be as dominant on D as they have been.

Counter point….have they been?

A&M: bad, Miami: meh but flawed performance, OSU: bad, PSU: shut down pass, run for 200+ yards

ND hasn’t played elite on defense against an even opponent since Georgia.

ND recruits at such a level where we overwhelm inferior opponents now with personnel. But a makeover has been due if ND wants to win a national championship. And I think Freeman knows that. It’s why we played so much zone against Miami. IMO they knew there may be growing pains but thought it would benefit them in in the long run to play through it. In retrospect the change wasn’t taught well, cost us and didn’t stick. But ND isn’t winning a national championship rolling out Cover 1 in with an undersized DL against everyone. They need to evolve, that’s players and coaches.

 

[The Backer]

Counter point….have they been?

A&M: bad, Miami: meh but flawed performance, OSU: bad, PSU: shut down pass, run for 200+ yards

ND hasn’t played elite on defense against an even opponent since Georgia.

ND recruits at such a level where we overwhelm inferior opponents now with personnel. But a makeover has been due if ND wants to win a national championship. And I think Freeman knows that. It’s why we played so much zone against Miami. IMO they knew there may be growing pains but thought it would benefit them in in the long run to play through it. In retrospect the change wasn’t taught well, cost us and didn’t stick. But ND isn’t winning a national championship rolling out Cover 1 in with an undersized DL against everyone. They need to evolve, that’s players and coaches.

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

 

[IAIrish]

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

Especially when the team you meet in the natty rolls out Jeremiah Smith, Jaxon Smith-Njgba and Carnell Tate along with two nfl rb's and an experienced, above average qb.

 

[Dale]

The mobile QB is what really does it in. I mean we even saw Carson Beck scrambling against man coverage in the CFP.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Counter point….have they been?

A&M: bad, Miami: meh but flawed performance, OSU: bad, PSU: shut down pass, run for 200+ yards

ND hasn’t played elite on defense against an even opponent since Georgia.

ND recruits at such a level where we overwhelm inferior opponents now with personnel. But a makeover has been due if ND wants to win a national championship. And I think Freeman knows that. It’s why we played so much zone against Miami. IMO they knew there may be growing pains but thought it would benefit them in in the long run to play through it. In retrospect the change wasn’t taught well, cost us and didn’t stick. But ND isn’t winning a national championship rolling out Cover 1 in with an undersized DL against everyone. They need to evolve, that’s players and coaches.

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

Fair.

I'm just speaking from the perspective of a 40 year fan with PTSD that whenever ND gets close, something holds them back and we hear about the excuses the following off season. Seeing IU come out of nowhere to beat OSU, Oregon (2x), and Miami, also throttled a bad Bama team really got under my skin. I just want that for ND and it feels so close.

 

[pumpdog20]

Counter point….have they been?

A&M: bad, Miami: meh but flawed performance, OSU: bad, PSU: shut down pass, run for 200+ yards

ND hasn’t played elite on defense against an even opponent since Georgia.

ND recruits at such a level where we overwhelm inferior opponents now with personnel. But a makeover has been due if ND wants to win a national championship. And I think Freeman knows that. It’s why we played so much zone against Miami. IMO they knew there may be growing pains but thought it would benefit them in in the long run to play through it. In retrospect the change wasn’t taught well, cost us and didn’t stick. But ND isn’t winning a national championship rolling out Cover 1 in with an undersized DL against everyone. They need to evolve, that’s players and coaches.

Counter counter point... while conceding the teams you mentioned, I'd say the team did do well against good offenses like USC and Arkansas

 

[Dale]

Counter counter point... while conceding the teams you mentioned, I'd say the team did do well against good offenses like USC and Arkansas

Those aren’t equal talent

 

[tirishman505]

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

I mean, you can run cover 1. You just need Bain and Messidor on your DL.

 

[NDPhilly]

After week 2, ND had a top 5 opponent adjusted defense. Could it be even better? Of course, but great offense beats great defense often in college football.

 

[NDdomer2]

We had a previous assistant coach just get named DC to an NFL team with playoff aspirations.

He left here as a position coach and we didn't miss a beat.

 

[irishandy]

Lou also had to replace assistant coaches while at ND, signs of a successful program.

In Freeman I trust and whoever ND is considering looking at the depth we have, it's a great job to consider.

 

[irishff1014]

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

With golden’s defense, you’re in the playoffs to give you the opportunity unlike this year.

 

[arrowryan]

With golden’s defense, you’re in the playoffs to give you the opportunity unlike this year.

Year 3/4 Golden vs year 1 Ash isn’t a fair comparison

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Bingo.

IU won the title running the defense Ash wants to run -- split safeties on match quarters to keep explosives down in the passing game with killer run fits. Ideally we'll have better DL talent to boot.

Unpopular take: you don't win the title running Golden's Cover 1 robber schemes.

False. You don't win the title without manufacturing more explosive plays. Golden's defense was plenty sound and kept explosive plays down but we didn't manufacture enough in the passing game. Our defense was not the problem, at least not when healthy. He had us in the championship game with nearly the entire starting DL out. That is phenomenal defense.

Teams that win championships execute and have good luck on the injury front.

 

[irishff1014]

Year 3/4 Golden vs year 1 Ash isn’t a fair comparison

Ash had better talent year one then Golden did.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

We had a previous assistant coach just get named DC to an NFL team with playoff aspirations.

He left here as a position coach and we didn't miss a beat.

Astute observation. Well done.

 

[arrowryan]

Ash had better talent year one then Golden did.

Ash was also having to replace the ultra veteran leadership that left the building after 2024.

Once Ash gathered his bearings and tweaked some things, he proved to be a good hire by Freeman.