In a significant development for Notre Dame football, veteran assistant strength coach Fred Hale is leaving the program for the NFL. He’ll be joining Nick Siriani’s Philadelphia Eagles staff as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
This move ends Hale’s five-year run at Notre Dame, where he became a key part of the strength and conditioning program. His absence will be felt, but head strength coach Loren Landow still leads the Irish.
Fred Hale’s Journey from Notre Dame to the NFL
Fred Hale’s jump to the NFL says a lot about his skill and commitment. A former two-sport athlete at Mercyhurst, he joined Notre Dame in 2019 and made an immediate impact.
He worked his way up to interim director of strength and conditioning, a role he took on just before the 2023 season. That kind of rise doesn’t happen without a real knack for the job.
Contributions to Notre Dame Football
Hale stepped in as interim director after Matt Balis resigned unexpectedly. Under his guidance, Notre Dame finished 2023 with a solid 10-3 record and a big win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
He helped boost player performance and built a culture of toughness and drive. You could see his fingerprints all over the team.
Background and Experience
Before Notre Dame, Hale spent years at Eastern Michigan University. He joined EMU in 2014 and rose to co-director for sports performance, focusing heavily on football.
That experience set the stage for what he accomplished at Notre Dame. His wife, Valerie, is also in the field, working as an assistant coach for Notre Dame’s Olympic sports programs.
Loren Landow’s Continued Leadership
Even with Hale moving on, Loren Landow keeps the strength and conditioning program steady. Landow has had offers from several NFL teams but has decided to stay with Notre Dame for now.
His commitment bodes well for the Irish and the program’s direction. It’s not every day you keep someone with his résumé around.
Landow’s Background
Landow’s experience is hard to match. He previously led the Denver Broncos’ strength and conditioning program and ran several training facilities in Denver.
His leadership has helped Notre Dame maintain high standards in training and preparation.
Remaining Staff and Future Prospects
The rest of the strength and conditioning staff—Richard Guarascio, Miles Axtell, and Tony Fusco—rounds out a strong group. They’re set to keep the Irish on track as the new season approaches.
With a promising roster and a top-tier recruiting class, Notre Dame seems well-positioned for another solid year. There’s a lot of optimism, and maybe a little nervous excitement, in the air.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season
Notre Dame opens its fifth spring camp under head coach Marcus Freeman in late March. The 15-session, five-week camp wraps up with the annual Blue & Gold Game on April 25 at Notre Dame Stadium.
The team brings back several starters on both sides of the ball. They’ve also added a top-five national high school recruiting class and a top-10 NCAA Transfer Portal haul.
Season Opener
The Irish kick off their 2026 season on September 6. They’ll face Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
That matchup should set the tone for what looks like an exciting year for Notre Dame football. There’s a lot to look forward to.
As the team moves forward, the departure of Fred Hale marks both an end and a new beginning. Sure, his contributions will be missed, but the program’s in good hands with Loren Landow and the rest of the strength and conditioning staff.
Want more details on Fred Hale’s departure or other Notre Dame football updates? Check out FootballScoop.
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