You know the old saying, ‘those who can, do; those who can’t, teach’? Well, for Gino Guidugli, it’s a bit more nuanced. Guidugli lived and breathed football growing up. Born and raised in a family that bleeds the sport, becoming a football star was probably written in the stars for him. He played quarterback at Cincinnati, and while he might not be throwing touchdowns in the NFL, he’s found another way to stay in the game: coaching.

Last year, Notre Dame was scrambling to find a new quarterback coach after Harry Hiestand unexpectedly retired. Enter Gino Guidugli. According to a source, he was the top candidate, and it was basically a done deal. “With the expectation he will get the job,” the source said. And get the job he did! It’s a full-circle moment for Guidugli, who previously worked with current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman at Cincinnati. Now, he’s back in the fold, ready to guide the next generation of Irish quarterbacks.

Who are the members of Notre Dame’s QB coach’s family?

Well, nothing beats the love and support of your siblings. Notre Dame’s QB coach, Gino Guidugli, probably knows this feeling well, having grown up with older brothers. The most fascinating aspect is that Gino, being the youngest, had the opportunity to observe and develop alongside his elders. Given that all three of his brothers played football, it was almost inevitable that Gino would be drawn to the sport. But they all played for different teams.

Former NFL player Ben Guidugli was a standout for Cincinnati from 2007-10. He was a key part of two conference championship teams and later played in the NFL for St.Louis Rams. Meanwhile, his other brother, Tony Guidugli, played at Georgia Military College. And Bay Guidugli performed in Southeastern Louisiana.

Before becoming a coach, Gino was a quarterback at Cincinnati, where he set numerous school records for both passing and overall offense. Prior to being cut by the CFL (Canadian Football League) after their 2008 training camp, he was a backup QB for the BC Lions. For the remainder of the 2008 season, including the playoffs, he rejoined the af2 Green Bay Blizzard. After that, he gave the Arena Football League a shot.

During his college days, he fell head over heels. Yeah, that is when he first met Michelle. Michelle and Gino met at the University of Cincinnati when they were both students. Their connection grew over their stay at the university. Then they tied the knot in June 2006 after their love grew stronger with each passing day. And this couple welcomed four children into the world. They have two daughters, Willow and Oakley, and two sons, Ryland and Ezra.

Throughout Gino’s coaching career, this family has always been by his side. And Gino has held coaching positions in a number of locations before joining Irish.

What are the highlights of Gino Guidugli’s coaching journey?

From 2009 to 2011, Gino Guidugli began his coaching career at CMU as a graduate assistant, helping with the defensive scout team and wide receivers. In 2013, he eventually took over as Central Michigan’s RBs coach. The team then elevated him to the position of QB coach and OC. After six seasons at Central Michigan, Guidugli returned to his alma mater. He was a founding member of the Ring of Honor at Nippert Stadium and a member of the James P. Kelly Sr. Athletics Hall of Fame at UC at the time.

In 2017, he became the RBs coach at Cincinnati. He was subsequently elevated to OC, passing game coordinator, and QBs coach. He then relocated to Wisconsin in 2022 to work under Luke Fickell as a TEs coach and coordinator of passing games. After Tommy Rees left for Alabama in 2023, he took over as Notre Dame’s QB coach.

Following his entry into Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman said, “We are thrilled to welcome Gino to our program. I have seen firsthand his talent in developing quarterbacks and teaching them how to consistently perform at an elite level in college and go on to have success in the NFL. He also brings a lot of experience in helping guide an offense to execute at a high level. He is a great addition to our staff.”

After more than 15 years of coaching, you’d think he’d be raking in the dough. And with Notre Dame potentially facing off against Ohio State in the National Championship, he’s clearly a valuable asset. So, the question is: Is Notre Dame paying him what he’s worth?

How much does Gino Guidugli make at Notre Dame?

With bonuses and incentives, Gino’s 2022 compensation as an assistant at Cincinnati was $600,000. However, during his time at Cincinnati, he was paid $290,000 in 2021 and $195,000 in 2018. While he was at Central Michigan, his initial coaching pay varied from $58,000 to $93,285. Although his current Notre Dame salary is unknown, it is anticipated that he will make over $400,000 considering his experience and high credentials.

As of now, the estimated net worth of Gino Guidugli is $1 million. His professional football career and his later positions as a coach on several collegiate teams have contributed to his wealth accumulation.

Safe to say, his coaching method may secure his future with Notre Dame (14-1) even if his contract details with the Fighting Irish have not yet been made public. Now can this QB coach lead the Irish to glory and hoist the trophy?