Top 5 Notre Dame defensive coordinator candidates for 2025

Bryant Haines

It’s difficult to say if Haines would be interested in a move from Bloomington to South Bend, but a defensive coordinator job at Notre Dame could further showcase his talent and allow him to eventually move further up the coaching ranks. Haines has spent most of his time in college football in the Midwest as a former linebacker at Ball State. He began coaching at the Division III level at Manchester and Adrian before stints in the Big Ten at Indiana and Ohio State. Haines’ first defensive coordinator opportunity came at James Madison and he helped the Dukes finish in the top 25 in FBS scoring defense in 2022 and 2023 as a Broyles Award semifinalist. This past season, Haines’ Indiana defense ranked No. 2 in the country and No. 1 in run defense. He would seemingly be a home-run hire if willing to leave Curt Cignetti’s staff.