SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame has officially brought in Ja’Juan Seider as their new running backs coach, a move announced by head coach Marcus Freeman on Tuesday. Seider, who previously held the same position at Penn State, has been a part of the Nittany Lions’ coaching staff since 2018. His tenure saw him rise to the ranks of co-offensive coordinator in 2022 and assistant head coach for the 2023 season.

During his time at Penn State, Seider was instrumental in developing impressive talent, most notably Nicolaus Singleton and Kaytron Allen, both of whom rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. At Notre Dame, he will step in to coach Jeremiyah Love, who is coming off a strong season with over 1,100 rushing yards and is considered among the best returning running backs in the country. Seider replaces Deland McCullough, who recently joined the Las Vegas Raiders to oversee their running backs.

“Ja’Juan is a great offensive mind,” stated Freeman. “He possesses a wealth of experience coaching various offensive positions, but it is his remarkable skills in recruiting and developing top-tier running backs that stand out most. His ability to effectively utilize multiple running backs within an offensive scheme while also transitioning them to NFL-ready talent is a key reason he aligns well with our program.”

Seider’s accomplishments in recruiting have not gone unnoticed; he was awarded the 247Sports Big Ten Recruiter of the Year for 2023 and also recognized as a top-10 recruiter nationally by On3 in 2022 and 2019. His coaching experience extends beyond Penn State, having also worked with running backs at notable programs such as Florida (2017), West Virginia (2013-2016), and Marshall (2010-2012).