When new Notre Dame football wide receiver Will Pauling was still officially a member of the Wisconsin Badgers and he entered the transfer portal, it didn’t take him long to realize South Bend was where he would end up.
Pauling has long been a fan of Irish wide receivers’ coach Mike Brown. And when he decided he wanted to go to another school, it was clear that he wanted to be reunited with his coach.
“Coach Brown is an amazing guy,” the new Notre Dame football player explained to Irish Sports Daily. “At this point, I don't really consider him a coach. He’s more family to me. I’ve known him since I was 16. He’s a guy I really look up to as a coach, but also as a man. He’s helped me grow a lot as a player on the field, but as a man. I tell people all the time that Coach Brown is someone I envision inviting to my wedding. It means a lot to play for Coach Brown.”
Notre Dame football transfer WR reunited with old coach
When you consider that Brown has come under a considerable amount of criticism the last few years because of the struggles on the recruiting side, it’s important to remember that the man is absolutely beloved by a player that came him specifically for him.
Pauling arrived in South Bend a bit under the radar. Wisconsin’s offensive struglges, as well as an injury in 2024 limited him to 42 catches for 407 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.
However, the Badger transfer notched 74 catches for 837 yards and 6 TDs in 2023.
The Notre Dame football team won’t be able to really see what he can do until the fall, as he had a small procedure on his foot shortly after he arrived on campus. He’s taking part in practice but is limited.