Breaking: Max Bullough buzz hits East Lansing. Today, Spartan fans are buzzing about a possible return of Max Bullough to Michigan State’s coaching staff. I have checked institutional channels this morning. There is no official hiring notice from MSU. There is also no public change from Notre Dame, where Bullough currently coaches linebackers. That gap matters for careers, for players, and for staffs that are building next season right now.
What we know, and why it matters
Bullough is not a random name. He is a former MSU captain and All Big Ten linebacker. He moved into coaching after his playing career. He worked as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati and Alabama, then rose to linebackers coach at Notre Dame in 2024. His unit has drawn praise for solid play and clear development.
This profile makes him a logical target for MSU. He knows the program. He recruits the region. He teaches defense with a modern lens, and he has worked inside high standard rooms. If he moves, it would be a meaningful career step for him, and a swing hire for MSU’s defensive identity.
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As of publication, there is no official confirmation of a hire. Expect any real move to appear first on the schools’ athletic sites or via a formal release.
The coaching market angle
December is decision season in college football. Staffs lock in recruiters before the late signing period. Portal windows are open. That is why rumors fly. For coaches, timing shapes leverage. A move today can change a recruiting class, a scheme install, and who gets reps in spring.
For MSU, a Bullough return would send a clear message on culture and defense. It would also give players a teacher who speaks their language. For Notre Dame, a departure would trigger a fast backfill, likely elevating a trusted analyst or tapping a proven recruiter to keep continuity. Both moves affect graduate assistants, analysts, and quality control staff who ride the same carousel. When a position opens, two or three entry roles often shift behind it.
How to verify a coaching move in real time
Do not live by screenshots. Use the same checks I use to separate signal from noise.
- School athletic department newsrooms and email releases
- University HR postings for coaching titles and start dates
- Official team accounts and the head coach’s press availability
- Updated online staff directories and bio pages
- Contract filings or board agendas for compensation approvals
Bookmark the athletic department newsroom and the university HR site. Real news lands there first.
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Career lessons from Max Bullough’s path
Bullough’s resume is a teaching guide for young coaches. He did not skip steps. He learned as a graduate assistant, then earned on-field responsibility. He crossed programs to widen his toolbox. That mix of player pedigree and apprentice work travels well in hiring rooms.
If you want this lane, focus on three things. First, become great at player development. Track growth with simple metrics, like missed tackles cut and pre snap alignments fixed. Second, master film. Build a daily 30 minute cut up routine that answers one question, then share a one page note with your position group. Third, network with purpose. Work camps, clinics, and pro days. Follow up with clips of your drill progress, not fluff.
Analyst and quality control roles are springboards. Many on field jobs are filled from those benches.
Learning tips for student athletes and early assistants
Keep your language simple in the room. Teach one technique a day. Use three coaching cues, not ten. Bring data lightly. A two line chart on run fits beats a dense spreadsheet. Learn one modern tool well, such as basic video tagging, then use it every week. Most of all, protect your notes. Your teach tape and scripts become your portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Max Bullough returning to Michigan State?
A: There is no official announcement at this time. I am monitoring MSU and Notre Dame channels for confirmation.
Q: What role would he likely take at MSU?
A: An assistant on defense, likely working with linebackers. Exact title would depend on the current staff map and contracts.
Q: What would Notre Dame do if he leaves?
A: Expect a quick response. Either an internal elevation or a hire with recruiting ties, to keep the room steady through spring.
Q: How can I break into college coaching?
A: Target graduate assistant or analyst roles. Build film skills, drill progress plans, and strong references from your current staff.
Q: When do most staff moves happen?
A: Late December through January is busiest, with another wave after spring ball as roles settle.
Conclusion
This story is live, and I will keep you posted. Whether the hire happens or not, the lesson stands. Coaching careers move on timing, proof of teaching, and trust. Max Bullough has built that proof. If MSU makes it official, it will reshape two rooms and open new doors for young coaches behind them. Until then, watch the official boards, not the noise.
