Sometimes, the moves made in the shadows aren’t on the field but in the offices—and they can be just as polarizing. That’s exactly the case with Chad Bowden, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s assistant athletic director and general manager, who is jumping ship to join the USC Trojans in a similar role. Bowden’s move—and the way he announced it—has sent shockwaves through South Bend. The timing is particularly jarring, coming right on the heels of the Irish’s disappointing CFP Championship loss. To many Irish fans, it feels like an insult added to injury.

Chad Bowden, a key figure in Notre Dame’s recruiting resurgence under head coach Marcus Freeman, has been hailed as the architect of the program’s future. From his days with Freeman at Cincy, where he helped construct one of the Group of Five’s most formidable rosters, to his high-energy approach that drew recruits to South Bend, his impact was undeniable. So, when he described USC as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” with “the resources, facilities, and support to build a perennial winner,” Irish fans felt like they were listening to their ex brag about their new partner.

Founder of ‘The Inside Zone’ podcast, Matt Fortuna, shared on X what Chad Bowden said about the move: “My wife, Ava, and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited to join the Trojan Family. Jen Cohen, Lincoln Riley, and USC’s total commitment to excellence make this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” The allure of Los Angeles, with its sunny weather and Hollywood backdrop, can tempt anyone, but Bowden’s move wasn’t just about a change of scenery.

The million-dollar paycheck USC offered him—more than triple his reported $300,000 salary at Notre Dame—makes it clear that this was a business decision as much as anything else. Bowden’s knack for recruiting and roster management is exactly what Lincoln Riley needs to transform the Trojans into a powerhouse.

And coach Riley wasted no time hyping up his new hire. “His body of work in recruiting and roster management is recognized throughout the country. We’re excited to him to arrive and hit the ground running,” Riley noted. He was like the not-so-secret sauce to ND’s recruiting, transfers, and even walk-ons (like Jordan Faison).

But Bowden’s departure feels personal for Notre Dame. Bowden’s high energy and constant communication reportedly played a significant role in why many recruits committed to the Fighting Irish. It’s not every day you see a GM leap from one blue-blood program to another, especially with such contrasting reputations.

The timing is almost Shakespearean, isn’t it? Notre Dame, still licking their wounds from that national title loss, now has to watch one of their own sing the praises of a rival while promising to bring championships elsewhere.

The Irish are not bowing to Chad Bowden

Of course, fans weren’t going to take Bowden’s departure lying down. Under the social media post, Irish fans unleashed a tidal wave of vitriol, accusing the GM of everything from cowardice to betrayal. “What an absolute coward 🤢🤢🤢,” one comment read, pulling no punches. It’s hard to miss the sting of betrayal in this reaction, as fans felt Bowden’s words minimized Notre Dame’s storied legacy in favor of hyping up USC’s resources and facilities.

Another someone labeled Chad Bowden a “total sellout,” which, while harsh, reflects a sentiment many fans likely share. For all his contributions to Notre Dame, Bowden’s departure seems to contradict the loyalty the Irish program preaches.

One took a different angle, targeting Bowden’s apparent reliance on Freeman: “You forgot something. You ain’t 💩 without Freeman. No recruit or player comes to ND to run through a wall for u. They do that for Freeman.” This take feels less like an insult to Bowden and more like a rallying cry for Freeman’s leadership. It underscores just how much Freeman means to the program and the belief that Notre Dame’s success starts and ends with him. Bowden may have been a key figure in recruiting, but fans clearly see Freeman as the heart and soul of the Irish.

The harshest critique came from a fan predicting failure for Bowden at USC: “Dudes going to fail so hard at USC and their poverty program.” While calling USC a “poverty program” might be a stretch, this comment highlights the deep-seated rivalry between the two schools. For Notre Dame fans, seeing Bowden succeed in Los Angeles would be salt in the wound.