ESPN report: Notre Dame formally interviews in-house OC candidate Gerad Parker

Notre Dame saw offensive coordinator Tommy Rees leave in favor of Alabama and has been searching for a replacement ever since. The search has not gone too smoothly for head coach Marcus Freeman, missing on a couple of his top guys. However, there could be an in-house candidate ready to make the jump.

According to ESPN’s Heather Dinich, tight ends coach Gerad Parker interviewed for the OC job and things “went well.” Nothing is official as Notre Dame continues its search but Parker could be in position to be promoted by Freeman.

“Sources said ND formally interviewed TE coach Gerad Parker on Tuesday and it went well,” Dinich said. “The process is ongoing, but he put himself in a strong position with his interview. Stay tuned.”

Parker just completed his first season in South Bend with tight ends being his sole focus. At the very least, he was the position coach for Michael Mayer, who is projected to be a first-round NFL Draft pick in April. A majority of Parker’s background does come with wide receivers, though.

Thankfully, the offensive coordinator role would be nothing new for Parker. Prior to Notre Dame, he was West Virginia‘s OC for two seasons under head coach Neal Brown. Graham Harrell came in to replace him after the 2021 season and Parker then made his way to the Fighting Irish.

Freeman has cast a national search for the next offensive coordinator but with the latest report, the in-house guy might end up being the move.

Notre Dame not able to bring Andy Ludwig in due to buyout concerns

Notre Dame is one of the few big-name programs that has gone through an offensive coordinator search this offseason. One of the favorites recently has been Utah‘s Andy Ludwig. Despite spending time with head coach Marcus Freeman recently, the two parties are reportedly not going to make things work.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ludwig will not be the Fighting Irish’s next offensive coordinator as the search continues in South Bend. Apparently, a large buyout number stopped from the transaction happening.

“Sources: Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is staying at Utah,” Thamel said. “His buyout proved an obstacle in discussions with Notre Dame.”

Josh Newman of the Salt Lake Tribune provided more information on the buyout, saying the number was just south of $3 million. Notre Dame was not willing to pay the lump of cash and Ludwig will be staying with the Utes.