Notre Dame is 1-2 on the season, and many want to believe that a big reason for that is the lack of defense by the Fighting Irish. In its first game, Notre Dame gave up 27 points to Miami and lost by just three points. In the matchup against Texas A&M, the Fighting Irish defense gave up 41 points and lost by just one point. Even in their win over Purdue, Notre Dame gave up 30 points.
A lot of fans are pointing the finger at defensive coordinator Chris Ash, who was hired this season to take over for Al Golden. When the defense isn't playing well, of course, the defensive coordinator is going to be the first to be blamed. Head coach Marcus Freeman, who is a very defensive-minded coach, could take over the defensive playcalling, but he doesn't think that is the answer either.
After being asked yet again about the possibility of replacing Ash in a press conference, Freeman went on what could be called a rant, but also felt like a heart-to-heart for his coaches and players in the locker room.
Marcus Freeman was asked again today if he would consider replacing Chris Ash as the defensive play caller.
— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) September 22, 2025
This is his three-minute, 41-second response, in which he spoke to his players and coaches as much as he spoke to the press. pic.twitter.com/mbvvQMAwnd
In the post above, it shows Freeman's over three-minute answer that can be summed up by saying his team needs to lock in and either choose to go all out on defense, or continue to not execute and hope the offense continues to bail them out.
It doesn't always come down to the play call on defense, but the execution by the players on the field. Freeman believes his defense could be playing the same way if he were calling the defensive play calls, but he is still not ready to just point the finger at Ash and fire him.
So the clock seems to be ticking on Ash, according to everyone else, but when it comes to Freeman, he just wants to see his team clock in and get it going on defense.