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Newsstand: Chad Bowden, USC hiring away Notre Dame director of personnel Zaire Turner per report

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•about 16 hours•

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(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A key piece of Notre Dame’s support staff is reportedly following former Fighting Irish general manager Chad Bowden to USC. Notre Dame director of player personnel Zaire Turner is headed to Los Angeles for a similar job with the Trojans, according to John Brice of FootballScoop.

Bowden had been a key behind the scenes trigger puller for the Irish for a handful of years. He received a pay raise he could not refuse to switch up his colors and work for the Irish’s archrival.

Turner, meanwhile, was elevated to director of program personnel last summer. She played an integral role in the program’s recruiting efforts over the last month while coaches were busy preparing for what turned out to be four College Football Playoff games.

Notre Dame is reportedly zeroing in on Texas Tech’s James Blanchard to fill the void left by Bowden’s departure. Now head coach Marcus Freeman and Co. will have to make a decision on who will be the program’s next director of player personnel, too.

Outside of those positions, the Irish have only had to deal with a defensive coordinator vacancy. Al Golden became the DC for the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Just Wednesday, it was reported that former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash will be Golden’s successor. A formal announcement from the university is expected sometime soon.

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Marcus Freeman is a busy man with recruiting right now, but he always has time for his former players — especially ones that were a part of such a special season that ended only a week and a half ago.

Marcus Freeman spoke on the keys to leading a successful program in this era of college football in an interview with NFL Network at the Senior Bowl.

Former Irish quarterback Riley Leonard has as much confidence as ever entering the NFL Draft process.

Fighting Irish quote of the day

“He’s been an unreal talent. He hasn’t been able to get as much work because he had his injury, but now he’s back, and some of the stuff he’s done in practice is unreal. The kid is an alien, and I can’t wait for everybody else to see that.”

— Former Irish defensive back Jordan Clark on rising sophomore Irish DB Tae Johnson

Blue & Gold headlines of the day

• Why Notre Dame could become a factor for recently offered four-star OT Felix Ojo
• Way-too-early Notre Dame football 2025 depth chart: Offense
• Way-too-early Notre Dame football 2025 depth chart: Defense

• IRISH INTEL: Which young Notre Dame football players are making moves behind the scenes?
• Marcus Freeman, Mike Brown making strong impression on four-star WR Brayden Robinson
• Notre Dame hires Chris Ash as defensive coordinator

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