Notre Dame Makes Strategic Move in Coaching Staff

When head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football team made the decision to move Al Washington from defensive line coach to linebackers coach, many Fighting Irish fans were left puzzled. While Washington has experience coaching linebackers during his time with the Ohio State Buckeyes, the timing of this move raised questions, especially as the transfer portal was opening and the team needed to add several defensive linemen.

However, fans didn’t have to wait long to learn who would replace Washington. On the same day, it was announced that Charlie Partridge, currently the defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, had accepted the job at Notre Dame. With a long and impressive resume in college football, Partridge’s return is seen as a positive step for the program.

This marks the end of Partridge’s short tenure with the Colts, which lasted only two seasons. His career has primarily been on the college level, where he has worked with teams such as Drake, Iowa State, Eastern Illinois, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Florida Atlantic. Now, he will bring his expertise back to the college game.

Why Did Charlie Partridge Leave the NFL?

Transitioning from college to the NFL is a common path for many coaches, but moving in the opposite direction is less typical. Destin Adams, a writer for A to Z Sports, provided some insight into why Partridge chose to leave the Colts.

“The Colts hired Charlie Partridge two years ago as their new defensive line coach,” Adams said. “Multiple NFL teams tried to recruit him from the college level before he joined the Colts. However, the defensive line hasn’t progressed as expected under Partridge, and he wasn’t hired by the current defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo; instead, he was a holdover from Gus Bradley’s staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a mutual parting of ways, as the Colts look for a new defensive line coach and Partridge gets to return to the college level, where he has developed many defensive linemen over the years.”

Charlie Partridge: The Developer

Partridge has built a career around developing great defensive linemen. Despite never signing a four-star recruit on the defensive line, his impact comes from identifying raw talent and maximizing their potential. This includes both high school players and transfers.

One of his most notable success stories is JJ Watt, who transitioned from a Central Michigan tight end to an All-American defender and eventually an NFL legend with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Another standout pupil was Trey Hendrickson, who played under Partridge at Florida Atlantic.

During his time at Pitt, Partridge coached several defensive linemen who went on to play in the NFL, including Calijah Kancey, Jabaal Sheard, Patrick Jones II, and Rashad Weaver. More recently, he worked with DeForest Buckner, Laiatu Latu, and Kwity Paye, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier defensive line coach.

Charlie Partridge: The Recruiter

Despite not having many massive recruiting wins, Partridge is considered a strong recruiter, especially given the support he has had. This should only increase with the Notre Dame logo on his shirt. Combining his reputation as a developer with his recruitment skills, this is a significant win for Coach Freeman.

Notre Dame needs to improve up front, and they now have the right coach in place to accomplish that goal.

Power Move by Notre Dame

Partridge’s hiring is a strategic move that could significantly benefit the program. His ability to develop players and his experience in the college football landscape make him a valuable asset to the Fighting Irish. With his track record and the Notre Dame brand, the future looks bright for the defensive line under his guidance.