Quick hitters: What Notre Dame LBs coach Max Bullough said in spring practice

Notre Dame promoted Max Bullough, then a graduate assistant, to linebackers coach Feb. 20. He’s seen his role change in three ways so far in his first spring as a full-time position coach.

“I got a better parking spot,” Bullough said. “Don’t downplay that. A better office, which I’ve always wanted. And then I’m going on the road, recruiting.”

That’s it. Bullough was the de facto linebackers coach in 2023, which allowed defensive coordinator Al Golden — then the official linebackers coach — to take a CEO-type role with the defense.

The former Michigan State standout picked up where he left off, coaching a much younger group of linebackers but bringing the same intensity and attention to detail that earned him the job. He credited Golden with helping him develop into the obvious hire when safeties coach Chris O’Leary left for the Los Angeles chargers, creating an open spot on the staff.

“AG was great with me last year,” Bullough said. “He let me run the show. It’s been awesome. It’s been great.”

Here are six more things Bullough said when he spoke to reporters Tuesday after Notre Dame’s ninth spring practice.

On if he’d be open to using five linebackers in each game or if he’d prefer to pick three and stick with them

“I think that’s a great question, and I think that’s open for interpretation. I hope to have as many guys ready to play as possible so that we can roll those guys, keep them fresh and get the boys going. But no, I am not married to, ‘It has to be these two or three.’ I think it was different last year when I got here, because we had guys [JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau] that had been here forever. I pretty much didn’t have to be here. I did, but you know what I mean? They’re out there, they’re doing their thing and we had younger guys behind them.

“It’s different this year. We’re a little bit more by committee, we got guys that can move, we’re flying around and we’re gonna keep them fresh.”

On junior Notre Dame linebacker Jaylen Sneed’s progression

“Jaylen Sneed has gone, from when we ended bowl practice, to now, has made the biggest jump, maybe of anybody in terms of being locked, in terms of playing in football position, starting it in [his] stance, moving with purpose. All those little things that Jaylen knows, ‘If I can do those things, the sky’s the limit. If I can focus in on the details and do the little things, I can make the plays.’ And that’s something I’m really proud of him for. He’s done it on first, second down. He’s done it on third down. We’re still working, but he is someone who has flipped the switch and understands what’s at stake here.”

On sophomore Fighting Irish linebacker Jaiden Ausberry

“So, Jaiden is a guy that, quite frankly, he’s in the conversation of — he’s put himself in a position both physically and mentally where he makes us as a coaching staff stop the film and say, ‘Alright, how do we implement and use this guy?’ And that’s because of the way practices, because of the way that he’s playing, because of what he’s built himself up to in the weight room. So, my point is we had the conversation where we’ve got to find a spot for this guy in that field. Right now, to be honest, it’s a few different spots, but he’s done a great job with it.

“He’s just got to continue day in and day out to be consistent. We have one or two good plays. We can’t have that third one be a bad one. And we’ll go watch the tape today. I think it was better today, but to me, it’s the consistency. And it’s hard because he’s playing different positions. But that’s what we expect, and that’s what he knows he has to do to play.”

On freshman Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

“Kyngstonn, he’s been great. He’s been able to process information. Physically, he’s there. Physically, he came in, he’s 230 or whatever. He’s able to handle the physicality part of it. But the way he’s been able to process information, take the installs or the sheet of paper to the field, has been, quite frankly, pretty impressive. So, it’s put him in a position, where if he just keeps chugging along, day in and day out, like I said, we’ve got a competitive room. We’ve got four or five guys, six guys, that are vying for playing time. He’s right in the mix, and he’s fighting every day. He’s fighting every day. He’s doing what a freshman is supposed to do.”

On what graduate Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser is doing to play more as an inside linebacker this season

“More of a load at linebacker. First of all, he’s bigger than he’s ever been. He’s 232 or something today. he’s bigger than he’s ever been, and he looks great doing it. So, that’s a huge part. Don’t take that lightly because that allows you to absorb contact throughout the season. Now, we’ll have to fight to keep that. But you have to remember, he did all special teams every game. So, there are all those 30, 35 reps that are banked, too, that we don’t think about. Those are, quite frankly, a lot harder than a play at linebacker. So, I don’t expect any drop-off in terms of that. I expect him to be ready to go as much as we need him.”

On sophomore Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen

“Drayk, he’s continued — day in and day out — to get better and better. He’s someone that we challenged at the beginning of this to take control the defense, earn the trust of the guys around you and that comes on and off the field. That comes in chaotic moments, ‘Can I be calm?’ And then the ball is snapped, and then go make the play. 

“We need to have someone that fills the void of the defense that left last year in terms of leadership. Really, when I say leadership, I mean, one, take control the defense. Two, when the ball is snapped, someone’s got to say enough’s enough, and they gotta go make the play, and they can’t be stupid about it. But they gotta go take calculated risks, and that’s where Drayk’s at, and he’s moving forward.”