Notre Dame has suffered a significant setback heading into next season, a blow that undermines the strong momentum the team has been building. Chad Bowden has made the decision to leave the program and join USC in Southern California. This move has been seen as a major betrayal by loyal fans and experts alike, especially considering the high regard in which he was held. The primary reason for Bowden’s departure appears to be financial, as he is set to earn over $1 million annually at USC— a sharp increase from his previous $300,000 salary at Notre Dame.
While this is a tough loss for the program, there is still hope. Notre Dame has time to find a new General Manager on its own terms. However, the one who will feel this most is head coach Marcus Freeman, although he’s no stranger to handling challenges like this.
Opinions on Bowden’s departure are mixed. In a recent discussion on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, host Josh Pate offered his thoughts: “The right logo on your polo can make you a lot better, and when you walk out the door, sometimes that’s the big measure of how effective you really are. When you leave a big program, are you still producing the same results as when you were there?”
Bowden, the former Notre Dame GM, is now at USC on a contract worth more than $1 million annually, a significant increase from his previous position. This move strengthens the Trojans as Bowden, son of MLB’s Jim Bowden, brings his expertise to the West Coast.
As for Notre Dame, the program is already moving to fill the void left by Bowden. Reports suggest that James Blanchard, known for his success at Texas Tech, is the frontrunner for the General Manager role. Blanchard’s impressive track record has drawn the attention of Notre Dame officials, and he could be the key to taking the team to championship contention next season.