Now that Notre Dame has officially started its spring practice, one of the biggest questions surrounding the team is whether the Fighting Irish defense will be as good as it has been in recent seasons. After a slow start to Chris Ash's South Bend career, his defense was as good or better than what Al Golden had put together to finish out the year. So how does the team get a better start in 2026 and run from there?
The Irish defensive coordinator believes he's pinpointed what his unit needs to avoid. They can't just come into the year thinking everyone will lay down for them. That might have, in fact, been one reason why 2025's defense looked so bad for a few weeks.
"The big challenge for us is just complacency," the Notre Dame defensive coordinator told the assembled media earlier this week. "Making sure the guys that have played here, played here for a while, played well, that they don't get comfortable, that they're just trying to continue to strive to improve and do better."
Chris Ash says complacency is Notre Dame football's biggest defensive threat in 2026
Along those lines, the media asked Ash how good he thinks the defensive backfield could be this season, and he wasn't quick to offer up a whole lot of praise. "You know, I don't know, we'll find out."
Ash knows that there are a ton of players returning. Leonard Moore, chief amongst them. But that cornerback is limited this spring. His familiarity with the players this spring will make a big change, according to Ash.
"I've got to do a great job of helping the other coaches learn their players and educate them on what we thought their strengths and weaknesses were so that they can work on those. But for me, I just know the players a lot better. I have a better feel of what we really have to work on. Last year I had no idea."
The Notre Dame football team's defense has all the indicators of being a better unit than it was in Chris Ash's first season. It's all about avoiding complacency and staying focused.Â