Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 PRESEASON 2023 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY TYLER HORKA M ax Bullough knew Nick Saban as "Coach" — just, "Coach" — long before Tommy Rees ever did. Long before Tyler Buchner ever did. Bullough, Notre Dame's graduate assistant linebackers coach replacement for James Laurinaitis, accomplished with Saban what former Fighting Irish offensive stalwarts Rees and Buchner are working toward now. He won a national championship with the Crimson Tide during the 2020 season. Three years later, Bullough has the same job title in South Bend as he did in Tuscaloosa. "I know it's the same role on paper, but I'm able to be a little more hands-on with the linebackers than I was at Alabama," Bullough said. "So, that was the real, main reason that I left there; the opportunity to work closer with the linebackers than I was in the previous three years. "And then obviously, the opportunity to come to Notre Dame." That's a trite expres- sion. It's been used by many coaches who have come before Bullough and will be used by many after. Heck, it's still regularly tossed around by head coach Mar- Bullough, who played linebacker at Michigan State from 2010-13, joined Notre Dame's coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach this offseason. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY HOME TO HIM Max Bullough returns to a place he frequented in his youth to help Notre Dame chase a national championship