Just because the college football coaching cycle has slowed down — it doesn’t mean the NFL coaching cycle is anywhere close to be done. According to multiple reports, Notre Dame linebackers coach, Al Washington, is leaving the Irish to take a job in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. Washington was just recently moved to linebackers coach from his defensive line position after Max Bullough left for Michigan State. Notre Dame hired Chris Partridge to take over the defensive line, and moved Washington to the backers. The two top names to replace Mickens (according to Football Scoop’s John Brice) are Oklahoma’s Jay Valai and former USC assistant, Doug Belk — both of whom have a long history with current Notre Dame defensive coordinator, Chris Ash.

Source: New York Times January 30, 2026 07:01 UTC