ESPN Report: Notre Dame’s Mike Denbrock Rejects $10 Million Alabama Offer to Stay Loyal to Fighting Irish Roots

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Denbrock has reportedly turned down a staggering $10 million offer from the Alabama Crimson Tide to remain in South Bend. According to an ESPN report released late Monday night, Denbrock rejected what sources described as one of the most lucrative coordinator deals in NCAA history, opting instead to remain with Marcus Freeman and continue shaping the identity of a resurgent Notre Dame program.

Alabama’s pursuit of Denbrock came as little surprise to those familiar with his track record. After orchestrating one of the most efficient and explosive offensive schemes in college football during the 2024 season, Denbrock became one of the hottest names on the coaching market. His work with dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard and a dynamic tight end group turned Notre Dame’s offense into a nightmare for opposing defenses, and he quickly became a target for programs seeking a transformative mind.

When Alabama came calling, they did so with intent. The Crimson Tide, fresh off a disappointing offensive campaign by their usual elite standards, were believed to be aggressively revamping their staff under newly promoted head coach Kalen DeBoer. Luring a proven veteran like Denbrock was viewed as a potential coup — a chance to inject schematic versatility, recruiting clout, and leadership into a program facing mounting pressure to maintain its national relevance.

ESPN’s report stated that Alabama’s offer was a $10 million deal spread over five years, with performance bonuses that could elevate the total package significantly. The deal would have made Denbrock one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football history — a move that underscored both the desperation and ambition within the Alabama program following Nick Saban’s retirement. But despite the eye-popping financials, Denbrock never wavered.

Those close to the veteran coach say the decision came down to culture, relationships, and loyalty. Denbrock, 60, has deep ties to Notre Dame, both professionally and personally. He began his career with the Irish in the early 2000s and returned to South Bend in 2024 after several successful stints elsewhere, including a standout run with Cincinnati, where he helped mold Desmond Ridder into an NFL-caliber quarterback under Luke Fickell.

Denbrock’s return to Notre Dame reunited him with Freeman, a coach with whom he shares a close personal bond. Sources inside the program describe Denbrock as a “foundational piece” in Freeman’s effort to rebuild Notre Dame into a perennial playoff contender. His offensive vision has meshed seamlessly with Freeman’s defensive-minded leadership, creating a balanced and motivated staff.

In the wake of Denbrock’s decision, Freeman issued a brief but telling statement: “Mike is one of the best in the business, and more importantly, he’s one of the best men I know. We are beyond fortunate to have him leading our offense and mentoring our student-athletes. His commitment speaks volumes about what we’re building here at Notre Dame.”

Current and former players have echoed that sentiment. Leonard, who will return for a sixth-year senior campaign in 2025, posted on social media: “Coach Denbrock is the real deal. This man believed in me and made this offense electric. Let’s run it back.”

Tight end Eli Raridon, who enjoyed a breakout season under Denbrock in 2024, added: “No one coaches the position like Coach Denbrock. He gets it. He teaches. He cares. We’re lucky he stayed.”

Denbrock’s decision is a symbolic one, not just for Notre Dame but for college football at large. In an era where coaching changes are frequent and loyalty is often eclipsed by lucrative buyouts and NIL negotiations, his move represents a rare stand for continuity and purpose. Notre Dame, with its storied history and demanding academic standards, has sometimes struggled to keep pace with the SEC’s recruiting machine and financial muscle. But Denbrock’s choice proves that culture and alignment can still win the day.

Notre Dame insiders have indicated that the university is working on a contract restructure for Denbrock that will increase his compensation, though it will fall well short of Alabama’s offer. However, the sense around the program is that Denbrock was never chasing a paycheck. He’s invested in the mission — building not just a championship offense, but a sustainable program that develops players on and off the field.

National reaction to the news has been swift. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit called it “a massive statement about what Notre Dame is becoming under Marcus Freeman.” Paul Finebaum, typically skeptical of Notre Dame’s competitiveness against the SEC elite, admitted on Tuesday morning that Denbrock’s rejection “puts the rest of the country on notice — this is no longer your father’s Notre Dame.”

Recruiting analysts have already begun speculating about the ripple effects. Notre Dame has been on a tear in the 2025 recruiting cycle, particularly with offensive talent. Denbrock’s presence was a major factor in recent commitments from 5-star wideout Malachi Kirkland and top-100 quarterback Keegan Croucher. His return is expected to solidify those pledges and perhaps even add to the Irish’s growing haul.

More importantly, Denbrock staying gives Notre Dame something the program has sorely lacked in the modern era — continuity at the top of the offensive food chain. Over the past decade, the Irish cycled through multiple offensive coordinators, each bringing different systems and ideologies. With Denbrock returning for a second straight season, the Irish can finally build on a proven blueprint. It also gives Leonard and the offense a massive advantage heading into 2025, where expectations will be sky-high.

Notre Dame opens the season with a high-profile clash against Texas A&M at Kyle Field — a game that will likely feature two Top 10 teams. Denbrock’s presence could be a decisive factor in what will be a hostile and pressure-packed environment. With veteran leadership under center, a deep tight end room, and a maturing offensive line, the Irish offense figures to be one of the most complete in the country. Denbrock will be at the helm of it all — not as a mercenary, but as a believer in the bigger picture.

Behind the scenes, this decision has also created renewed trust in Freeman’s vision. Denbrock’s loyalty is, in many ways, a vote of confidence in Freeman’s leadership — a signal to recruits, fans, and administration that the head coach has built something worth staying for. That will pay dividends not just on the field but in the long-term stability of the program.

As college football barrels toward another transformative season, with conference realignment, NIL expansion, and a new 12-team playoff format changing the landscape, Notre Dame finds itself on firm footing. Denbrock’s decision to remain is not merely a headline — it’s a declaration of intent. The Irish are not just participating in the new era of college football. They’re poised to thrive in it.

Denbrock could have taken the money and the prestige of calling plays in Tuscaloosa. Instead, he stayed in South Bend — where tradition, loyalty, and vision still mean something. And for that, Notre Dame just scored its biggest offseason win yet.