Al Washington Set To Coach Notre Dame Linebackers In 2026
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Irish Breakdown has confirmed reports that former defensive line coach Al Washington will coach linebackers this upcoming season for the Notre Dame defense. This was first reported by John Brice at Football Scoop. Washington has been the defensive line coach in South Bend since 2022 and took on the responsibilities as run game coordinator in 2023. He will now be the head of the linebacking corps for the 2026 season while the Irish pursue a backfill at the defensive line coach position.
Washington has coached linebackers at multiple stops throughout this career including 2011 with Elon, 2018 with Michigan and 2019-2021 with the Ohio State Buckeyes. It's likely he will still remain the defensive run game coordinator after the Irish finished the season as the 10th-ranked rush defense in the country in yards allowed per game, 11th-ranked in the country in yards per carry allowed and 5th in the country in rushing touchdowns allowed.
The Columbus, Ohio native has coached many big named linebackers over the course of his career including Devin Bush at Michigan in 2018, Malik Harrison, Pete Werner, Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, Tommy Eichenburg, Steele Chambers and Cody Simon during his time at Ohio State. Now, Washington will have his turn in South Bend to coach up an extremely talented and experienced group after former linebackers coach Max Bullough returned to his Alma Mater, Michigan State, to be their co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
The Notre Dame linebacking corps is expected to be one of the deepest and most talented units in the country. Linebackers Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and Madden Faraimo. It's uncertain whether soon-to-be redshirt senior Jaylen Sneed will return, but Washington will have a talented room to work with nonetheless. This season, Notre Dame's linebackers combined for 217 total tackles and 24.0 tackles for a loss. As they prepare to head into year two of the Chris Ash system and a familiar face as their position coach, I'd expect their production to ramp up in 2026.
This move is also thought to help propel Washington's career forward, taking the next step in his coaching career and opening up a potential path to being a defensive coordinator or head coach. Washington is now Notre Dame's second longest tenured coach behind defensive backs coach Mike Mickens who has made a name for himself developing young talent in star players like Leonard Moore and Ben Morrison amongst others. Like Mickens, Washington will now be tasked with maintaining and developing the current talent in the room as well as bringing along the two incoming freshman in Jakobe Clapper and Thomas Davis Jr.
Notre Dame is in win-now mode, especially after their playoff snub to end the 2025 season. This move retains continuity on the defensive coaching staff and will allow Washington to continue working with players he has a strong familiarity with. Now, the search is on to find his backfill at the defensive line position.
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