Notre Dame director of recruiting Chad Bowden turns down Michigan, remains with the Irish
Chad Bowden is sticking in South Bend. On Thursday, Blue & Gold recruiting insider Mike Singer confirmed Notre Dame football’s director of recruiting will remain with the Fighting Irish after the University of Michigan pursued him for a personnel role. FootballScoop’s John Brice was the first to report the news.
Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore targeted Bowden for a position with the program. Michigan promoted Moore, formerly co-offensive coordinator, to head coach last Friday after former coach Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL. The Charges announced Harbaugh’s hiring last Wednesday.
Bowden, 29, has been a linchpin to Notre Dame football’s success on the recruiting trail under coach Marcus Freeman. He has been the program’s architect, achieving three top-10 recruiting classes from 2022-2024, a mark the Irish had not attained since 2006-08. During those three years, Notre Dame landed the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 4 classes, respectively.
Freeman named Bowden the program’s director of recruiting in February 2022. Bowden previously served as the program’s defensive director of recruiting for one season. Freeman brought Bowden from the University of Cincinnati after accepting Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator position in 2021.
“We have one of the most unique relationships,” Freeman said, describing his connection with Bowden on the Wake Up the Echoes podcast on Dec. 20. “Especially when you become a head coach, your relationships with a lot of people change. We’ve known each other for a long time. … I love him. He’s the best at what he does.”
Freeman spent the 2017-20 seasons at the Cincinnati, where he discovered Bowden. He was a student at the school before transitioning to a role within the Bearcats’ recruiting department. Bowden was pivotal in helping build a Cincinnati roster that reached the College Football Playoff in 2021, the only Group of Five school to do so in the four-team playoff era.
“There was a time at Cincinnati when I told him, ‘You’re an elite recruiter, elite communicator, and energy provider,'” Freeman said. “We need that. That attracts talent and young people. … He’s elite at what he does. He is one of the hardest workers I know.”
With Bowden spearheading Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts in the 2025 cycle, the Irish have 14 commits, more than any other program in the country. The class currently ranks No. 6 in the 2025 Industry Rranking Football Team Recruiting Rankings. His ability to build relationships with recruits is a key reason.
“There are times when I’m actually envious of the relationships he has with our recruits,” Freeman said. “Even maybe with our kids. My kids, when they come to the office, most of the time they say, ‘Hi, Dad,’ and go right to the recruiting office to spend time with Chad and his staff because they have a unique ability to bring those kids in, communicate with them, and spend time with them.
“That’s trust. Trust is built over time. That’s why I have always wanted to work with him. He’s a hard worker. He’s a really good person.”
