Notre Dame Athletics
After three seasons on Notre Dame’s staff, linebackers coach Max Bullough is returning to his alma mater.
SpartanMag publisher Jim Comparoni reported Wednesday that Bullough has accepted a position on Michigan State’s coaching staff. Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer confirmed the report.
Bullough will join defensive coordinator Joe Rossi as a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. New head coach Pat Fitzgerald, hired Dec. 1, retained Rossi, who has spent the past two seasons in East Lansing. Bullough, a former Spartans standout, played linebacker at MSU from 2010 to 2013, serving as a two-time captain and earning third-team All-America honors.
Bullough’s coaching journey began after a five-year professional career. He joined Marcus Freeman’s defensive staff at Cincinnati in 2019 as a graduate assistant, then spent three seasons in the same role at Alabama. Freeman brought him to Notre Dame in 2023, where he worked as a graduate assistant and effectively coached linebackers alongside then-defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Ahead of the 2024 season, Freeman promoted Bullough to linebackers coach. In that role, Bullough helped develop a series of NFL Draft picks. Marist Liufau and JD Bertrand were selected Nos. 87 and 143 in the 2024 draft by Dallas and Atlanta, respectively. Jack Kiser went No. 107 to Jacksonville in 2025.
Bullough also played a key part in developing current Irish linebackers. Junior Drayk Bowen is considered an NFL prospect and could declare following the 2026 season. Freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was playing at an elite level before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Syracuse. Redshirt sophomore Jaiden Ausberry and freshman Madden Faraimo have also shown significant improvement under Bullough.
Recruiting Impact
Bullough’s recruiting record at Notre Dame includes some of the program’s most significant recent wins. Faraimo and Viliamu-Asa, both top-100 prospects from Southern California, ranked as the No. 4 linebackers in their respective classes according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
In the 2026 class, Bullough served as the primary recruiter for four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., the son of former NFL Pro Bowler Thomas Davis Sr. Davis Jr., the No. 14 linebacker in the class, held offers from national powers including Georgia, his father’s alma mater.
Bullough also helped secure four-star 2024 signee Anthony Sacca of Philadelphia, the No. 34 linebacker in his class. Additional signees under his watch included three-star linebackers Bodie Kahoun (2024), Teddy Rezac (2024), Ko’o Kia (2025) and Kobe Clapper (2026).
A native of Traverse City, Mich., Bullough starred at St. Francis High School before entering Michigan State as a four-star recruit in 2010. He ranked as the No. 21 linebacker nationally and No. 6 prospect in Michigan. After his college career, he signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent.
Bullough now returns to Michigan State with deep ties to the program — and a rising résumé built through player development, recruiting success and steady progression through the coaching ranks.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
