Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock aims to build on a strong first year, refining the offense and enhancing performance.

When Mike Denbrock arrived at Notre Dame as the offensive coordinator in 2024, it was a pivotal moment for both him and the program. With the Fighting Irish in search of offensive identity and consistency, Denbrock faced the challenge of not just revamping a struggling unit, but also creating an offense that could compete at the highest levels of college football. After a season filled with ups and downs, Denbrock is now ready to build on his initial success, refine the offense, and take the next step toward championship contention.

In his first year at Notre Dame, Denbrock helped guide the Irish to a 10-2 regular season record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff, marking a strong debut for both him and the program under head coach Marcus Freeman. Although there were moments of brilliance, particularly in big games, there were also growing pains, as the team adjusted to Denbrock’s system and philosophies. Now, as the 2025 season approaches, Denbrock’s focus is on fine-tuning his offensive approach and ensuring his players execute at the highest level.

The Transition to Notre Dame: A New Chapter

Mike Denbrock had already established himself as one of the brightest offensive minds in college football before joining Notre Dame. He had previously been the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati, where he helped transform a program into a perennial powerhouse in the American Athletic Conference. But transitioning to a program with the history, expectations, and scrutiny that comes with Notre Dame was always going to be a different challenge.

“It’s been a journey,” Denbrock admitted in an interview last season. “When you come to a place like Notre Dame, you know you’re stepping into something special. But there’s also pressure—pressure to succeed, pressure to meet expectations, and pressure to build an offense that aligns with the tradition of Notre Dame football. It’s a balancing act.”

Denbrock quickly realized that Notre Dame’s storied history, while an asset, was also a double-edged sword. The Fighting Irish have long been known for their strong defense and ball-control offense, often prioritizing physicality and toughness over wide-open schemes. In many ways, Denbrock had to integrate his modern offensive vision with the foundational principles of Notre Dame football.

“Notre Dame football is about pride, tradition, and physicality,” he said. “But at the same time, college football is changing. You have to be creative, innovative, and aggressive to keep up with the best programs in the country. Our goal was to do both—maintain that traditional toughness while also creating an offense that could attack defenses in multiple ways.”

The 2024 Season: A Year of Growth

In his first season, Denbrock’s offense showed flashes of brilliance, especially during the big wins against teams like USC and Clemson. The Irish offense racked up impressive numbers, ranking in the top 20 nationally in total offense, averaging over 450 yards per game. However, the unit also faced some inconsistencies, particularly in big moments. In losses to Florida State and Louisville, the offense struggled to find rhythm, particularly in the second half, where turnovers and penalties stunted Notre Dame’s ability to stay on track.

Quarterback Riley Leonard, in his first season at Notre Dame after transferring from Duke, was a major highlight of Denbrock’s offense. Leonard, a dual-threat quarterback, gave the Irish a unique weapon with his ability to both pass and run effectively. Leonard finished the season with 2,861 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 906 rushing yards, and 17 rushing touchdowns, quickly becoming a key focal point of Denbrock’s system.

“We really wanted to maximize Riley’s skill set,” Denbrock explained. “He’s a special player—able to make plays with both his arm and his legs. We needed to tailor the offense to play to those strengths, while also improving the passing game to keep defenses on their toes.”

In addition to Leonard, Audric Estime, a powerful running back, became a central figure in the Irish offense. Estime racked up nearly 1,300 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, proving to be a consistent presence in the running game and complementing Leonard’s versatility. The running back committee, featuring Estime and others, allowed Denbrock to establish a balanced offensive attack, which was vital for the success of the team.

The Road to Refinement: Areas of Focus for 2025

While the 2024 season had its share of triumphs, Denbrock knows that there are several key areas of focus heading into his second year as offensive coordinator. For Denbrock, year two is all about consistency, efficiency, and execution. Building off the foundation laid in 2024, he wants to further refine his offense to make it even more explosive and difficult to defend.

1. Increased Passing Efficiency: One of the primary areas for improvement will be in the passing game. While Riley Leonard had a productive season, there were stretches where the passing attack became stagnant, especially in games where defenses were able to contain the running game. Denbrock has already begun to emphasize more precise route-running, better timing on passing plays, and an overall more dynamic passing attack.

“We need to continue developing the passing game,” Denbrock stated. “We’ve got to be able to stretch the field more and take advantage of mismatches in the secondary. Our receivers need to be sharper, and our timing needs to be quicker. We can’t afford to be one-dimensional in this offense.”

With several talented receivers, including Tobias Merriweather and Jaden Greathouse, Denbrock is working hard to get the passing attack in sync. The goal is to push the ball downfield more effectively and create more opportunities for big plays, while also improving short- and intermediate-route execution.

2. Offensive Line Development: Another key area Denbrock is focused on is improving the offensive line play. While Notre Dame’s line was solid in 2024, there were moments when the protection broke down, particularly against elite defensive fronts. Denbrock believes that with more development and cohesion, the offensive line can take the next step and give Leonard more time in the pocket to operate.

“We’ve got a great group of guys up front, but we need to continue developing that group,” Denbrock said. “The offensive line is the foundation of any offense. If we can get more consistency there, it will open up everything else. The running game will get better, the passing game will improve, and we’ll be able to compete at the highest level.”

3. Utilizing Depth and Flexibility: One of the strengths of Denbrock’s system is its versatility. Whether it’s in the passing or running game, Denbrock has shown that he’s not afraid to use multiple personnel packages and formations to create mismatches. In 2025, Denbrock plans to continue diversifying the offense, bringing in more playmakers to keep defenses off-balance.

“We’ve got a lot of talent, and we want to make sure we use it all,” Denbrock said. “We’ll rotate more guys in at skill positions to keep fresh legs on the field, and we’ll continue to evolve our scheme to feature different strengths. Whether it’s using tight ends in the passing game or using our running backs in the passing attack, we want to give defenses as many looks as possible.”

A Shift in Philosophy: Balancing Tradition and Innovation

As much as Denbrock wants to innovate and build an offense that reflects modern football, he also understands the importance of staying true to Notre Dame’s football heritage. Notre Dame has long been known for its physicality, and while Denbrock wants to evolve the offense, he is careful not to abandon the core values that have made the program successful over the years.

“We’re still going to be a tough, physical team,” Denbrock assured. “We’re going to run the football, and we’re going to be aggressive in the trenches. But we also need to be dynamic and flexible in how we attack. It’s about finding that balance between tradition and innovation, and that’s something we’re continuing to work on.”

This approach has helped Denbrock build credibility with his players, who see him as both a coach who values the traditions of Notre Dame football and one who is willing to adapt to the changing landscape of college football.

Looking Ahead: Building for Championship Success

As Mike Denbrock enters his second season at Notre Dame, the stakes have never been higher. With a strong foundation in place, the expectations for 2025 are clear: improve on last season’s successes, fix the areas of inconsistency, and push the team to the next level. Notre Dame’s aspirations remain high, with a national championship still the ultimate goal.

“We’ve got a great team, a talented coaching staff, and a passionate fanbase,” Denbrock said. “We’re on the right track. Now it’s about making sure we’re firing on all cylinders. We’ve got to continue evolving as an offense and make sure we’re ready to compete for a championship.”

With a second year of Denbrock’s system in place, combined with a talented roster, Notre Dame’s offense could be poised for a breakout year. For Denbrock, it’s not just about building on his first year—it’s about taking the next step and ensuring that Notre Dame remains one of the top football programs in the nation.

Mike Denbrock’s first season at Notre Dame was a strong start, but 2025 holds even greater promise. With a year of experience under his belt and a renewed focus on improving key areas, Denbrock is committed to refining the offense and pushing the Irish to new heights. The pressure is on, but Denbrock’s ability to blend tradition with innovation gives hope that Notre Dame’s offense will continue to grow and evolve in the coming seasons, ultimately aiming to bring a national championship back to South Bend.

The future is bright, and Mike Denbrock is determined to make sure the Fighting Irish are at the forefront of the college football elite.