Notre Dame Announces Brian Jean-Mary as Linebackers Coach, Run Game Coordinator

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Brian Jean-Mary has joined the Notre Dame Football coaching staff as the Linebackers Coach and Run Game Coordinator.

Jean-Mary (pronounced ZHAHN muh-REE) brings 25 years of experience in the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive run game coordinator, linebackers coach, secondary coach and graduate assistant with both defense and strength and conditioning. He joins the Irish staff after most recently serving his second stint on the defensive side of the ball at the University of Michigan.

Jean-Mary consistently led his defenses to top 25 national rankings over his tenure. Ten players he has coached have gone on to be drafted in the NFL Draft over his coaching career to date.

The 2025 Michigan defense was ranked 19th among all FBS programs in rushing defense (111.9) and 23rd in total defense (323.3) under Jean-Mary’s guidance as the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. In 2024, his linebackers played a large role for the Wolverines’ tenth-ranked defense. Michigan held eight teams under 100 yards rushing over the span of the 2024 season.

While at Tennessee from 2021-23, Jean-Mary led the Volunteers to top-ten FBS rankings in tackles for loss in each of his three seasons as the linebackers coach. The 2023 Tennessee defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in defensive touchdowns (5), tackles for loss (7.8), team sacks (3.15) and fourth-down conversion percentage defense (26.9 percent). The 2022 squad was tenth in tackles for loss per game (7.2) while the 2021 Volunteers finished the season tied for eighth in the nation and second in the SEC in total tackles for loss (108).

In his first stint at the University of Michigan, Jean-Mary led the linebackers in the 2020 season for the Wolverines. Under his tutelage, Josh Ross was among the nation’s leaders in total tackles while the defense finished the season third in the Big Ten in defensive touchdowns. Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone was a fifth round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

From 2017-19, Jean-Mary was the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at the University of South Florida. The Bulls were ranked in the top five in tackles for loss in two of his three seasons with the squad. USF forced at least 20 turnovers in each season under Jean-Mary.

The 2019 Bulls were fourth in red zone defense (0.674), fifth in team tackles for loss (8.3), tenth in the nation in fumbles recovered (12) and 15th in turnovers gained (24). In 2018, linebacker Khalid McGee ranked 31st in the nation in solo tackles, and his 111 total tackles were the seventh-most in a single season in program history. Jean-Mary’s first season in Tampa saw USF rank in the top 25 in fourth down conversion percentage defense (36.8 percent), rushing defense (126.9), defensive team passing efficiency (140.98), team sacks (3.0), team tackles for loss (8.4) and turnover margin (0.83) in 2017.

Jean-Mary served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Texas from 2014-16. He helped guide four linebackers to All-Big 12 honors in three seasons, including All-America honoree Jordan Hicks. The Longhorns averaged at least three sacks per game each season under Jean-Mary, and the Texas defense ranked in the top 12 in sacks all three years.

In addition to being among the nation’s best in sacks, the 2016 Longhorns were 16th in team tackles for loss (7.6). Texas ranked eighth in turnover margin in 2015 (0.92) and 11th in passing yards allowed (184.2) in 2014. A pair of Texas players – Lorenzo Maluldin and Deiontrez Mount – were also selected in the NFL Draft.

From 2010-13, Jean-Mary was an assistant head coach and linebackers coach at the University of Louisville. The Cardinals claimed the Big East Championship in both 2011 and 2012 and had the fourth-best winning percentage in the country (.885) from 2012-13 after going 23-3. Louisville’s 2013 defense led all FBS programs in rushing defense (80.7), team sacks (3.31) and total defense (251.5) and ranked second in scoring defense (12.1) and turnover margin (1.31). Five players were selected in the NFL Draft during his second stint with the Cardinals – DB Calvin Pryor, DB Johnny Patrick, DL Marcus Smith, DL Greg Scruggs and LB Preston Brown.

From 2004-09, Jean-Mary led the linebackers at Georgia Tech. In five of his six seasons, the Yellow Jackets defense was among the top in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense. The team ranked in the top 30 in each of those categories in five of the six seasons Jean-Mary was in Atlanta. The 2007 squad led the nation in sacks and was second in tackles for loss. In 2006, the Yellow Jackets limited the opposition to just 18.4 points per game and 104.8 rushing yards per game.

Georgia Tech allowed just 103.9 rushing yards per game and held their opponents to a 28.7 percent conversion rate on third down in 2005. Linebackers Gerris Wilkinson (2005) and Philip Wheeler (2008) both went on to be drafted in the third rounds of their respective NFL Drafts.

His first full-time position in coaching came at North Alabama when Jean-Mary served as a coach for the secondary in 2003. The Lions went 13-2, won the Gulf South Conference Championship and clinched a spot in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs. The North Alabama defense held the opposition to 14.1 points per game, which ranked sixth nationally in Division II.

Jean-Mary began his career with a pair of graduate assistant positions. He was part of the South Carolina defense under Lou Holtz from 2001-02. Prior to that position, he was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant for the 2000 season at Louisville.

A 1998 graduate of Appalachian State, Jean-Mary was a four-year linebacker on the Mountaineers football team.