Notre Dame Hit With Another Setback as Marcus Freeman Loses an Assistant Coach Mike Vrabel Praised Highly
If you thought Notre Dame’s rough 2025 season ended with their playoff and bowl snub, think again. The Fighting Irish were dealt yet another blow today. They’ve already seen five assistants leave this year, and the latest departure is someone New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has spoken very highly of.
According to Notre Dame reporter Tyler Horka, “Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough is leaving ND to be the LBs coach and co-defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Michigan State, @TheSpartanMag reports. Elevation in job title/status + a return home.” Horka broke what might be the third-most painful development of Notre Dame’s 2025 offseason.
Bullough, who has been guiding the Irish linebackers, is heading back to Michigan State—where he was once a standout defender. A former multi-time All–Big Ten selection and team captain, Bullough put up impressive numbers as a Spartan: 299 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
At MSU, he’ll step into a larger role as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald. It’s a major career move and a return to familiar territory, leaving Notre Dame with another hole to fill.
Bullough earned a strong reputation at Notre Dame for his player development. All three starting linebackers from the 2023 squad were drafted—Marist Liufau in the third round, JD Bertrand in the fifth, and Jack Kiser in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. His best work came in 2024, when Notre Dame led the nation in forced turnovers and ranked top-five in scoring defense. Replacing that kind of production is no small task.
To make matters worse for the Irish, Bullough isn’t departing alone. Assistant Tre Reeder is also headed to East Lansing with him, adding to Notre Dame’s growing staff exodus. For Bullough, though, it’s a heartfelt homecoming—and one that even Mike Vrabel believes Michigan State should celebrate.
Mike Vrabel’s Favorite Player
Back in 2023, when Will Compton asked then–Titans head coach Mike Vrabel who the smartest player he’d ever coached was, Vrabel didn’t hesitate: Max Bullough. Vrabel, who coached Bullough in Houston, praised his understanding of the game and rare versatility.
“I know my vote — Max Bullough,” Vrabel said, emphasizing his remarkable football IQ. He added that Bullough could seamlessly handle numerous roles: “He didn’t take a rep and he could play like seven positions.” Bullough could line up at both Mike and Will linebacker and fill in at other spots whenever necessary.
The relationship between Vrabel and Bullough goes back to their days together with the Houston Texans, where Bullough was trying to carve out a role under linebackers coach Vrabel. Now, Bullough returns to Michigan State with a chance to become one of the most knowledgeable assistants in school history.
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