WATCH: Top OC target Andy Ludwig spotted with Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame hockey game

Friday, a report surfaced saying Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig was a top candidate for Notre Dame’s vacant OC spot and was on his way to campus. It appears he made it.

Ludwig was spotted sitting next to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman during Friday’s hockey game between the Fighting Irish and Ohio State — Freeman’s alma mater. ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported Notre Dame’s interest in Ludwig earlier Friday and called him a “finalist” for the job.

Freeman is working to replace Tommy Rees, who’s leaving for Alabama.

It’s almost as if Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman perfectly placed himself in front of the camera to hide who’s next to him, but yes, that is Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.

The Irish are courting Ludwig in South Bend for the program’s vacant OC position. pic.twitter.com/ppiolCoxwL

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) February 11, 2023

Ludwig spoke with Freeman via Zoom earlier this week, Dinich reported, and he “impressed” during the conversation. He flew to South Bend on Friday for another conversation with the Fighting Irish — and, apparently, take in a hockey game.

Utah OC Andy Ludwig emerging as ‘finalist’ for Notre Dame offensive coordinator opening

Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator search appears to be taking a new turn. Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is set to arrive on campus “soon,” ESPN’s Heather Dinich reported Friday.

Ludwig is considered a finalist for the job, according to Dinich, but hasn’t formally been offered the job yet. However, she indicated it’s a “strong possibility” he lands the offer.

Ludwig has spent the last four seasons with Utah under head coach Kyle Whittingham and has played a key role in the development of Cameron Rising. This past season, the Utes ranked fifth in the Pac-12 in total offense with 466.9 yards per game and finished fifth in the league in scoring defense, averaging 38.6 points per game.

Ludwig has a wealth of experience to his name as a coordinator. He got his first offensive coordinator job at Cal Poly in 1997 and moved to the same role at Fresno State from 1998-2001. Oregon brought him aboard as its OC from 2002-04 and he had his first go-round with Utah from 2005-08 when Whittingham took over for Urban Meyer.

In 2009, Ludwig became the offensive coordinator at Cal and then headed to San Diego State from 2011-12. From there, he headed to Wisconsin from 2013-14 and Vanderbilt from 2015-18 before returning to Utah in 2019.