SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Brian Jean-Mary has joined the Notre Dame Football coaching staff as the Linebackers Coach and Run Game Coordinator.
Jean-Mary (pronounced ZHAHN muh-REE) brings 25 years of experience in the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive run game coordinator, linebackers coach, secondary coach and graduate assistant with both defense and strength and conditioning. He joins the Irish staff after most recently serving his second stint on the defensive side of the ball at the University of Michigan.
Jean-Mary consistently led his defenses to top 25 national rankings over his tenure. Ten players he has coached have gone on to be drafted in the NFL Draft over his coaching career to date.
The 2025 Michigan defense was ranked 19th among all FBS programs in rushing defense (111.9) and 23rd in total defense (323.3) under Jean-Mary’s guidance as the defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach. In 2024, his linebackers played a large role for the Wolverines’ tenth-ranked defense. Michigan held eight teams under 100 yards rushing over the span of the 2024 season.
While at Tennessee from 2021-23, Jean-Mary led the Volunteers to top-ten FBS rankings in tackles for loss in each of his three seasons as the linebackers coach. The 2023 Tennessee defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in defensive touchdowns (5), tackles for loss (7.8), team sacks (3.15) and fourth-down conversion percentage defense (26.9 percent). The 2022 squad was tenth in tackles for loss per game (7.2) while the 2021 Volunteers finished the season tied for eighth in the nation and second in the SEC in total tackles for loss (108).
In his first stint at the University of Michigan, Jean-Mary led the linebackers in the 2020 season for the Wolverines. Under his tutelage, Josh Ross was among the nation’s leaders in total tackles while the defense finished the season third in the Big Ten in defensive touchdowns. Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone was a fifth round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
From 2017-19, Jean-Mary was the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at the University of South Florida. The Bulls were ranked in the top five in tackles for loss in two of his three seasons with the squad. USF forced at least 20 turnovers in each season under Jean-Mary.
The 2019 Bulls were fourth in red zone defense (0.674), fifth in team tackles for loss (8.3), tenth in the nation in fumbles recovered (12) and 15th in turnovers gained (24). In 2018, linebacker Khalid McGee ranked 31st in the nation in solo tackles, and his 111 total tackles were the seventh-most in a single season in program history. Jean-Mary’s first season in Tampa saw USF rank in the top 25 in fourth down conversion percentage defense (36.8 percent), rushing defense (126.9), defensive team passing efficiency (140.98), team sacks (3.0), team tackles for loss (8.4) and turnover margin (0.83) in 2017.
Jean-Mary served as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Texas from 2014-16. He helped guide four linebackers to All-Big 12 honors in three seasons, including All-America honoree Jordan Hicks. The Longhorns averaged at least three sacks per game each season under Jean-Mary, and the Texas defense ranked in the top 12 in sacks all three years.
In addition to being among the nation’s best in sacks, the 2016 Longhorns were 16th in team tackles for loss (7.6). Texas ranked eighth in turnover margin in 2015 (0.92) and 11th in passing yards allowed (184.2) in 2014. A pair of Texas players – Lorenzo Maluldin and Deiontrez Mount – were also selected in the NFL Draft.
From 2010-13, Jean-Mary was an assistant head coach and linebackers coach at the University of Louisville. The Cardinals claimed the Big East Championship in both 2011 and 2012 and had the fourth-best winning percentage in the country (.885) from 2012-13 after going 23-3. Louisville’s 2013 defense led all FBS programs in rushing defense (80.7), team sacks (3.31) and total defense (251.5) and ranked second in scoring defense (12.1) and turnover margin (1.31). Five players were selected in the NFL Draft during his second stint with the Cardinals – DB Calvin Pryor, DB Johnny Patrick, DL Marcus Smith, DL Greg Scruggs and LB Preston Brown.
From 2004-09, Jean-Mary led the linebackers at Georgia Tech. In five of his six seasons, the Yellow Jackets defense was among the top in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense. The team ranked in the top 30 in each of those categories in five of the six seasons Jean-Mary was in Atlanta. The 2007 squad led the nation in sacks and was second in tackles for loss. In 2006, the Yellow Jackets limited the opposition to just 18.4 points per game and 104.8 rushing yards per game.
Georgia Tech allowed just 103.9 rushing yards per game and held their opponents to a 28.7 percent conversion rate on third down in 2005. Linebackers Gerris Wilkinson (2005) and Philip Wheeler (2008) both went on to be drafted in the third rounds of their respective NFL Drafts.
His first full-time position in coaching came at North Alabama when Jean-Mary served as a coach for the secondary in 2003. The Lions went 13-2, won the Gulf South Conference Championship and clinched a spot in the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Division II playoffs. The North Alabama defense held the opposition to 14.1 points per game, which ranked sixth nationally in Division II.
Jean-Mary began his career with a pair of graduate assistant positions. He was part of the South Carolina defense under Lou Holtz from 2001-02. Prior to that position, he was a strength and conditioning graduate assistant for the 2000 season at Louisville.
A 1998 graduate of Appalachian State, Jean-Mary was a four-year linebacker on the Mountaineers football team.
THE JEAN-MARY FILE
Hometown: Apopka, Fla.
High School: Apopka
College: Appalachian State (1998)
Wife: Jerilyn Ardis
Children: Brittany and Brooke
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
- 1993-97 Appalachian State (Linebacker)
COACHING CAREER
- 2000 Louisville Graduate Assistant, Strength and Conditioning
- 2001-02 South Carolina Graduate Assistant, Defense
- 2003 North Alabama Secondary Coach
- 2004-09 Georgia Tech Linebackers Coach
- 2010-13 Louisville Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach
- 2014-16 Texas Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
- 2017-19 South Florida Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
- 2020 Michigan Linebackers Coach
- 2021-23 Tennessee Linebackers Coach
- 2024-25 Michigan Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
BOWLS/PLAYOFFS COACHED
- 2000 Liberty Bowl (Louisville)
- 2002 Outback Bowl (South Carolina)
- 2003 NCAA Division II Playoff Semifinals (North Alabama)
- 2004 Champs Sports Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2005 Emerald Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2007 Gator Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2007 Humanitarian Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2010 Orange Bowl (Georgia Tech)
- 2010 Beef O’Brady’s Bowl (Louisville)
- 2011 Belk Bowl (Louisville)
- 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl (Louisville)
- 2013 Sugar Bowl (Louisville)
- 2014 Texas Bowl (Texas)
- 2017 Birmingham Bowl (South Florida)
- 2018 Gasparilla Bowl (South Florida)
- 2021 Music City Bowl (Tennessee)
- 2022 Orange Bowl (Tennessee)
- 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (Tennessee)
- 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl (Michigan)
- 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (Michigan)
PERSONAL INFORMATION
- Jean-Mary earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Appalachian State in 1998.
- He played linebacker from 1993-97 for the Mountaineers.
COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Most recently, Jean-Mary was the Defensive Run Game Coordinator and Linebackers Coach in his second stint at the University of Michigan from 2024-25.
- In 2025, Michigan was ranked 19th among FBS programs in rushing defense (111.9 yards per game) and fourth in the Big Ten in third down conversion percentage defensively (38.0 percent).
- The 2024 Michigan defense was ranked fifth among all FBS programs in rushing defense and tenth in total defense.
- From 2021-23, he was the Linebackers Coach at the University of Tennessee.
- Jean-Mary helped the 2023 Tennessee defense to top 10 rankings nationally in defensive touchdowns (5), tackles for loss (7.8), team sacks (3.15) and fourth down conversion percentage defense (26.9 percent).
- The 2022 Volunteers defense was ranked 10th nationally in tackles for loss (7.2) and 11th in turnover margin (0.77). As a team, Tennessee was 20th nationally in rushing defense (115.8 yards per game).
- In 2021, Tennessee finished the year tied for eighth in the nation and second in the SEC in tackles for loss with 108.
- Jean-Mary served as the Linebackers Coach in his first stint at the University of Michigan in 2020.
- From 2017-19, Jean-Mary was the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at the University of South Florida.
- Eight defensive players earned American All-Conference honors in that three-year span. The Bulls were ranked in the top five in tackles for loss in two of his three seasons with the squad.
- Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat was drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
- Jean-Mary served as the Linebackers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Texas from 2014-16.
- He mentored Jordan Hicks to All-American honors in 2014 while the Longhorns were in the top 25 in six categories, which included leading the country in recovered fumbles (21). Hicks was later selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
- From 2010-13, Jean-Mary served as the Assistant Head Coach and Linebackers Coach at the University of Louisville.
- Five of his players on the defensive side of the ball were selected in the NFL Draft during his tenure at Louisville – defensive backs Calvin Pryor (2014, first round) and Johnny Patrick (2011, third round), defensive ends Marcus Smith (2014, first round) and Greg Scruggs (2012, seventh round), and linebacker Preston Brown (2014, third round).
- In 2013, the Louisville defense led the country in total defense (251.5), rushing defense (80.7), sacks per game (3.31), first downs allowed (183) and third-down defense (26.7 percent) with Jean-Mary’s guidance.
- The 2012 Louisville squad went 11-2 and was 13th in the BCS standings while raking in the top 25 in passing defense and total defense.
- In 2011, the Cardinals won a share of the Big East title while the defense was ranked in the top 10 of all FBS programs in rushing defense (100.5 yards per game).
- Jean-Mary’s linebackers were part of a defense that was ranked in the top 20 nationally at Louisville in 2010. Additionally, the 2010 Cardinals defense was ranked in the top 10 in pass defense (167.4 yards per game) and sacks per game (3.0).
- He served as the linebackers coach at Georgia Tech from 2004-09. The Yellow Jackets defense was ranked in the top 30 in the nation in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense in five of the six seasons Jean-Mary was on the staff.
- The 2009 Yellow Jackets went 11-3 and were ACC Champions as the defense was in the top 20 among FBS programs in sacks and tackles for loss
- His 2008 linebacker group helped Georgia Tech finish in the top 20 among FBS programs in sacks and tackles for loss.
- In 2007, Georgia Tech led the nation in sacks and was second in tackles for loss under Jean-Mary’s guidance. Linebacker Philip Wheeler was selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
- The 2006 Yellow Jackets limited the opposition to just 18.4 points per game and 104.8 rushing yards per game.
- His 2005 linebacker group was instrumental in the team’s defensive efforts as the Yellow Jackets allowed just 103.9 rushing yards per game and held their opponents to a 28.7 percent conversion rate on third down.
- His first season at Georgia Tech in 2004 saw the Yellow Jackets hold their opponents to 104.6 yards rushing per game.
- In 2003, Jean-Mary helped North Alabama reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs as the squad allowed just 14.1 points per game, which was good enough to rank sixth nationally.
- Jean-Mary started his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 2002 and 2001 under Lou Holtz at South Carolina after serving as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant at Louisville in 2000.