The Notre Dame football team has had a very interesting offseason when it comes to losing staffers willy nilly.

Chad Bowen, Mike Moon, Zaire Turner and of course, Al Golden have all left. Now the Fighting Irish have lost an offensive assistant, though it’s not the one that backers of the Blue and Gold have been worried about. This time, the man departing is assistant wide receivers coach Michael Bearden heading to the Cleveland Browns to join the staff put together by new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

That’s former Notre Dame football offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Who just got promoted by the NFL team a few weeks ago. Rees and Bearden of course, did coach together in South Bend and it appears they’re up for a reunion, according to FootballScoop.

Notre Dame football loses another assistant coach

Michael Bearden might not be a household name the way that Mike Denbrock, Joe Rudolph or Gino Guidugli are, but he is considered a young up and comer. That is course is at least in part demonstrated by his being hired by and NFL team.

One former Irish coach was certainly sold on him. Ex-wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey had glowing things to say about Bearden when he talked to John Brice after Reese plucked him from Notre Dame.

“The Browns are getting a great coach and an even better person,” Stuckey reportedly said. “Bearden is one of the sharpest young minds in the game — he’s smart, organized, and always thinking ahead. 

“His ability to connect with players and bring fresh ideas to the table will make an immediate impact in Cleveland. Excited to see him take this next step—he’s just getting started.”

While Bearden’s role with the Browns hasn’t been officially announced, it’s likely he’ll serve basically the same position as he did with the Notre Dame football program. That would mean he’ll predominantly work with the wide receivers. It seems extremely unlikely he’ll be a position coach all on his own, just yet.