What's Happening?
Notre Dame is set to hire Aaron Henry, the current defensive coordinator for Illinois, as its co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Henry has been with Illinois for three seasons, previously serving as the defensive backs coach. He will join Chris Ash, who is the current defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Henry has a history with Ash, having played under him at Wisconsin and worked with him at Rutgers. This move follows the departure of Notre Dame's previous defensive backs coach, Mike Mickens, who was recently hired by the Baltimore Ravens. Under Henry's leadership, Illinois achieved a program-record 19 wins over the past two seasons, although they faced challenges in 2025, including significant losses to Indiana and Washington.
Why It's Important?
The hiring of Aaron Henry is significant for Notre Dame as it aims to strengthen its defensive lineup. Henry's experience and success at Illinois, particularly in developing NFL-caliber defensive backs, could enhance Notre Dame's defensive strategies. This move is part of a broader effort by Notre Dame to bolster its coaching staff and improve its performance in upcoming seasons. For Illinois, losing Henry could impact their defensive capabilities, given his role in their recent successes. The transition also highlights the competitive nature of college football coaching, where successful coordinators are often sought after by other programs.
What's Next?
With Henry joining Notre Dame, the focus will be on how he integrates into the existing coaching staff and implements his defensive strategies. Notre Dame will likely look to leverage his expertise to improve their defensive performance. Meanwhile, Illinois will need to find a replacement for Henry, which could affect their preparations for the next season. The impact of this coaching change will be closely watched by both teams' supporters and could influence their performance in the upcoming college football season.
