Chip Long / Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator

Chip Long was the Notre Dame offensive coordinator from 2017-2019. He left Notre Dame abruptly following the 2019 regular season without coaching the Irish in the Camping World Bowl.   He was born on May 1, 1983 and quickly rose in the coaching ranks after playing four seasons at Division II North Alabama. In four seasons from 2002-05, he competed at both wide receiver and tight end, helping the Lions reach the postseason on two occasions.

Moving Quickly Up the Ladder

Long began his coaching career by serving a pair of two-year stints as a graduate assistant at Louisville (2006-07) and Arkansas (2008-09). With the Cardinals, he tutored the team’s quarterbacks and wide receivers, while his time with the Razorbacks focused on coaching the team’s tight ends.

In 2010, he was named to his first full-time job, serving as Illinois’ tight end coach for two seasons before moving on for four years at Arizona State. During his time with the Sun Devils, he had the dual positions of tight end assistant and recruiting coordinator, also coaching the ASU’s special teams in his final two years.

Long was named as offensive coordinator and tight end coach at Memphis in January 2016 and quickly turned the Tigers into an offensive powerhouse. Averaging 39 points per game and 6.25 yards per play helped get the attention of Brian Kelly, who hired him on December 30, 2016.

Energizing the Irish

In his first season of calling plays for the Irish, Long led an offense that averaged 34 points per game and set a new single-season record under the Golden Dome with a running game that ran for over 3,500 yards. In addition, 35 touchdowns scored marked the Irish’s highest total in that category in a quarter-century.

Long continued that success with an Irish team that went undefeated during the 2018 regular season and 31 points per contest, with Long helping to create a more balanced attack. Ian Book took over at quarterback in the Irish’s fourth game ended with him throwing for more than 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns. At running back, Dexter Williams finished with 995 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games.

His tenure came to an unceremonious ending following the 2019 regular season.  Long and Notre Dame mutually parted ways with Long leaving the Irish without a new role lined up before Notre Dame’s bowl appearance in the Camping World Bowl.  He was replaced by Tommy Rees in January 2020.