The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have made an exciting enhancement to their coaching staff, announcing the hiring of Aaron Henry as co-defensive coordinator on Sunday. This move marks a dynamic start to February for the team, as reported by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Henry joins Notre Dame following a successful tenure as the defensive coordinator for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where his leadership contributed to the program’s historic achievement of winning 19 games over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. This performance represents the most successful two-year period in the program’s history, with Henry’s defense playing a crucial role in that success.
Despite receiving interest from the NFL, notably interviewing for positions with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Henry has opted to continue his career in college football, taking the opportunity to contribute to Notre Dame’s storied program.
A former standout for the Wisconsin Badgers, Henry earned All-Big Ten honors in 2010 and 2011 before embarking on a professional career that included signing with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012. His coaching journey has taken him through various institutions, including Arkansas, Rutgers, North Carolina State, and Vanderbilt, prior to his impactful role at Illinois.
In his new position at Notre Dame, Henry will collaborate with Chris Ash, the current defensive coordinator who has already made his mark after a successful first season in South Bend. This partnership aims to bolster the Fighting Irish’s defensive capabilities and build upon their recent successes.
With Henry’s track record and experience, the Fighting Irish community is optimistic about the direction of the team’s defense. This strong addition could prove pivotal as the program strives for further achievements in the upcoming seasons.