Notre Dame’s New-Look Offense: Gearing Up for a Dynamic Season

Photo byWSBT

South Bend, Ind. – With just nine days until Notre Dame's season opener, the Fighting Irish are gearing up with some fresh faces and a revitalized offense, poised to make waves this season.

At the forefront of these changes is Riley Leonard, the newly transferred quarterback from Duke, alongside Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, who brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to Notre Dame. This marks Denbrock’s third stint with the Fighting Irish, having first joined in 2002 as the Offensive Line and Tight Ends coach. His journey took him away from South Bend for a few years, but he returned for another seven seasons before departing to lead the Cincinnati Bearcats' offense in 2017.

Denbrock isn’t just a familiar face; he’s a trusted strategist for Head Coach Marcus Freeman. The two worked together at Cincinnati, with Freeman on defense and Denbrock leading the offense. Their synergy is now set to bring a new level of dynamism to Notre Dame, especially following Denbrock’s success with LSU, where he orchestrated the nation's top-scoring offense last season. That team was led by Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who was also the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Denbrock sees potential in his new quarterback, Riley Leonard, drawing comparisons to Daniels. While acknowledging that the offense is still evolving, Denbrock is optimistic about the team's growth. "There’s a lot we’re still refining," Denbrock noted. "But what impresses me most is how this group is raising the bar for themselves. They’re demanding excellence from each other, and that’s a powerful shift."

As the team continues to gel, Denbrock believes they have the talent to be formidable on the field. "We’ve got the right pieces," he added. "From the line to the perimeter, from the guys throwing to those catching, we’re getting better every day. The sooner we hit our stride, the better."

Notre Dame will kick off their season on August 31st with an away game against the Texas A&M Aggies, marking the start of a highly anticipated journey for the Fighting Irish.