Reports: Notre Dame football pursuing Texas Tech GM James Blanchard for same role

Posted by author January 30, 2025 Football

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SOUTH BEND — James Blanchard, credited as the driving force in Texas Tech’s resurgence on the recruiting trail, could be headed next to Notre Dame football.

According to multiple national recruiting sites, including On3.com and TexasFootball.com, Blanchard has emerged as the leading candidate to replace former Irish general manager Chad Bowden, who left for archrival USC last weekend.

Since Blanchard’s arrival in November 2021, the Red Raiders have signed their first-ever five-star prospect (2024 wideout Micah Hudson) and managed to lure USC transfer running back Quenten Joyner to sleepy Lubbock, Texas.

Under coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has posted three consecutive winning seasons and two top-30 recruiting classes in the past three years, according to 247 Sports Composite. The recruiting site ranks Texas Tech’s 17-player transfer class as the third-best nationally this offseason.

Last July, amid overtures from USC, Blanchard reportedly signed a two-year, $800,000 contract to remain at Texas Tech. His annual salary previously had risen at the Big 12 school from $185,000 to $220,000.

Bowden reportedly will earn $1 million annually with the Trojans, nearly four times his reported base salary at Notre Dame.

Blanchard, a 2008 graduate of Stark High School in West Orange, Texas, previously spent two seasons on the recruiting/personnel side at Baylor. In 2021, he worked in Waco with former Irish receivers coach Chansi Stuckey.

After following Baylor coach Matt Rhule to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Blanchard spent the 2020 NFL season as a pro scout.

A father of five children with wife Kiara, Blanchard started his own football recruiting service in 2014. Rhule, now at Nebraska, hired him as Baylor’s recruiting director in March 2019.

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.