The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, along with college football enthusiasts, were shaken by a major move involving assistant AD Chad Bowden. Poached by the USC Trojans, Bowden has left his post as the assistant athletic director of player personnel and general manager to become the Trojans’ GM in what could only be described as a bold move.
Chad Bowden Made A Game-Changing Move for College Football
Reports from sports analyst Matt Zenitz first indicated that Bowden was a target for a prominent front-office role with the Trojans. It didn’t take long for Kyle Kelly of On3 Sports to confirm that Bowden had accepted the position.
USC themselves then made the news official on social media.
Please welcome Chad Bowden as our general manager ✌️ pic.twitter.com/HeUk18gMki
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) January 25, 2025
The move comes with a significant pay increase, as FootballScoop reported USC is offering Bowden a multi-year deal worth $1 million annually—a dramatic jump from his previous salary of $270,000 to $300,000 at Notre Dame.
Bowden joined Notre Dame in 2021 after being brought in by then-defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman. He quickly climbed the ranks, taking over as director of recruiting in 2022 before being promoted to general manager in 2024. His ability to identify and secure top-tier talent, particularly through the transfer portal, became a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s success.
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Notably, Bowden played a key role in recruiting star quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard, both of whom were pivotal in Notre Dame’s 2024 run to the national championship game. These high-profile transfers helped solidify Bowden’s reputation as one of college football’s top talent evaluators and roster builders. His excellence was recognized when he was named FootballScoop’s Player Personnel Director of the Year.
Freeman, now Notre Dame’s head coach, had immense trust in Bowden, bringing him along when he made the transition from Cincinnati to South Bend. USC’s aggressive pursuit of Bowden underscores the growing importance of personnel management in shaping a program’s future.
Chad Bowden’s Vision For USC
Bowden’s move to USC comes with access to significantly greater resources. At Notre Dame, he worked with an NIL budget of approximately $7-8 million. At USC, however, he will have a much larger financial pool to work with, allowing him to be more aggressive in the recruiting landscape. His first major test will come during the spring transfer portal period, where USC will aim to address key roster gaps with experienced talent.
Beyond bolstering USC’s roster, Bowden’s hire is also a strategic blow to one of the Trojans’ biggest rivals. By luring away one of Notre Dame’s top off-field leaders, USC is not only strengthening its own program but also disrupting a critical element of the Irish’s success.
As USC’s new general manager, Bowden brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. His hiring also highlights the evolving nature of college football, where off-field hires like general managers are becoming just as crucial as coaching staff appointments.
Notre Dame Faces a Major Challenge
For Notre Dame, Bowden’s departure leaves a significant void. His leadership played a crucial role in the program’s recruiting success, and the Irish must move quickly to find a replacement to maintain their momentum.
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Bowden’s decision to join USC marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career. His ability to build rosters and attract elite talent will be tested in Los Angeles, where expectations for the Trojans remain sky-high.
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