Charlie Partridge Appointed Notre Dame’s Defensive Line Coach

Notre Dame Football has officially announced the addition of Charlie Partridge as its new defensive line coach for the 2026 season. His hiring will take effect following the completion of the university’s standard employment process.

Charlie Partridge’s Coaching Background

Partridge brings extensive coaching experience, marking his 29th year in the profession. He has held various roles, including position coach, coordinator, and head coach. His most recent position was as the defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL.

Success at the Indianapolis Colts

• The Colts’ defense ranked tied for second in the NFL for fewest rushing yards allowed per carry during the 2025 season.
• They finished seventh in fewest rushing yards allowed per game.
• The team recorded 21 total takeaways, ranking tenth in the NFL for the 2025 regular season.

Previous Accomplishments in College Football

Before joining the Colts, Partridge spent 26 years in collegiate football, primarily at the University of Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2023. Here, he held titles such as assistant head coach and defensive line coach.

• In 2023, Pittsburgh’s defense was ranked tenth in FBS for red zone defense.
• The 2022 season featured Calijah Kancey, who won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned unanimous All-America honors.
• Under his guidance, seven defensive linemen achieved All-ACC honors from 2017 to 2023.

Head Coach Tenure at Florida Atlantic University

Partridge also served as head coach of Florida Atlantic University from 2014 to 2016. His leadership yielded three of the best recruiting classes in FAU history. Furthermore, ten of his players advanced to the NFL, including defensive end Trey Hendrickson, named the 2016 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.

Developing Talent Throughout His Career

A key aspect of Partridge’s career is his ability to develop impactful players. He coached two consensus All-Americans, Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver, at Pittsburgh in 2020. Both went on to be selected in the NFL Draft along with Kancey and Jaylen Twyman, showcasing his capacity to prepare players for the professional level.

Partridge’s coaching journey has included assistant roles at several respected institutions, including the University of Wisconsin and Arkansas, where he contributed to the development of NFL talents such as J.J. Watt. His coaching style has consistently focused on defensive line excellence, a quality recognized by FootballScoop, which named him National Defensive Line Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022.

As he begins this new chapter at Notre Dame, his extensive experience and proven track record in both collegiate and professional football set a promising foundation for the program’s defensive strategies.