Now that the Notre Dame football team is looking for a new linebackers coach, it's hard to know exactly when they will replace Max Bullough. That they're not playing in a bowl, or the College Football Playoff, and the early signing day has come and gone, there's no rush. Marcus Freeman could wait until the end of the month and still be fine, as the transfer portal opens on January 2.
That doesn't mean the Irish won't snap up the best hire if they feel he's available and gettable. Several names have already surfaced, both from within the program and without.
Notre Dame football could promote from its current staff with Andy Buh
Andy Buh joined Marcus Freeman's staff in March as a senior defensive analyst, but could find himself as the Notre Dame linebackers coach if Freeman decides to promote from his current staff. Buh arrived in South Bend with over 25 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as a defensive analyst at Purdue in 2024. Before that, he was the Illinois linebackers coach from 2021 to 2023. He's a veteran voice who could pick up right where Bullough left off.
Ronnie Regula could come back to Notre Dame from the Bengals
Ronnie Regula is a Miami grad (which would undoubtedly be an interesting hire considering the two schools' recent history). He also spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as a senior defensive analyst under former Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden. Regula worked alongside Bullough as he helped out with the linebackers. He left South Bend just one year ahead of Al Golden and now works with him in the Queen City. He might be willing to return, especially since there's no guarantee any defensive coaches will have jobs in Cincinnati once the season is over.
Notre Dame alum Greer Martini would be an interesting add
Greer Martini played linebacker for Notre Dame from 2014 to 2017 and, in that time, racked up 190 total tackles. After his playing days were over, he spent two years as the linebackers coach at Charlotte before moving to Western Michigan this past March.
Notre Dame lost Max Bullough to Michigan State because he wanted to go back to where he played. Perhaps the Fighting Irish should follow the Spartans' lead and hire an alum.