A pair of SEC defensive coordinators are reportedly targets to join Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame coaching staff.

Freeman is looking at Auburn’s Derek Mason and Tennessee’s Tim Banks according to John Brice of FootballScoop:

So who are among Freeman’s top candidates? Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock, Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason, Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks, current Jacksonville Jaguars safeties coach and former college defensive coordinator Chris Ash, and current Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach Al Golden, the former Miami and Temple head coach are all under consideration and that Freeman also is holding some options close to the vest.

Both of the SEC coordinators completed their first seasons with their respective programs in 2021. Mason was head coach at Vanderbilt from 2014-20 and landed on Bryan Harsin’s Auburn staff after his firing from VU. Banks joined Josh Heupel’s Tennessee staff after 5 seasons (2016-20) at Penn State as co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach.