Notre Dame recruiting staffer Dre Brown to take job at Illinois
Blue & Gold can report that Notre Dame director of recruiting Dre Brown is set to take a similar position at Illinois, his alma mater.
Brown joined the Irish in July 2021 as the team’s assistant running backs coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. From June 2022 to January 2023, he served as the team’s assistant defensive backs coach. Freeman made Brown the director of high school scouting in January 2023. And just last month, Brown was promoted to director of recruiting following Bowden’s promotion from that role.
Illinois lost its director of player personnel in December when Nate McNeal left for Syracuse and the Fighting Illini targeted Brown to join their staff. Things heated up between the two parties this week, leading to Brown taking the job.
Brown has been a key part of the Notre Dame recruiting office and has done a tremendous job building strong relationships with the Irish’s top targets over the years.
“Dre is a great dude — one of the best recruiters in the game,” 2025 linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng previously told Blue & Gold. “The relationship we have isn’t superficial but is genuine. He really cares about recruits’ success and is there whenever you need him!”
“Me and Coach Brown are practically like brothers,” 2025 wide receiver Derek Meadows added. “He has a lot of energy and make me hyped.”
Notre Dame’s recruiting office is led by Chad Bowden, who holds the role of assistant athletic director for player personnel. Mackenzie Zanow, Zaire Turner, Carter Auman and Becca Sites are among the people currently working with Bowden in the recruiting office.
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Details on Brown’s playing career at Illinois
After ACL injuries hampered Brown — a DeKalb, Ill. native — during his freshman and sophomore seasons, the 5-11, 210-pound running back got back on his feet in 2017 and had a very productive Illinois career.
As a senior, Brown led the team in all-purpose yards and was the Big Ten’s top kick returner, per Pro Football Focus. He ultimately earned All-Big Ten third team kick returner (coaches) and All-Big Ten honorable mention kick returner (media) after averaging more than 25 yards per return. Brown was also a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, otherwise known as the “academic Heisman.” Finally, his teammates named him Illinois’ offensive MVP that season.
Brown finished his career for the Illini with 162 carries for 902 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns. He also caught 11 passes for 90 yards.
The Illinois native graduated with an undergraduate degree in Recreation Sports and Tourism in 2018 and earned a master’s degree from Illinois as well in Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services in 2020. After he graduated with the second degree, he briefly worked as a commercial banking analyst before re-entering the college sports world.
