Imagine being Chad Bowden. You’ve just helped bring Notre Dame close to a national championship. You’re not just working with Marcus Freeman — you’re practically family. You’ve been tight with him since your days together at Cincinnati, and you’ve followed him all the way to South Bend. Then, suddenly, you make the bold decision to leave all that behind and join Lincoln Riley’s team at USC. Sure, the contract was impressive — a seven-figure, multi-year deal with plenty of financial backing — but the decision ran deeper than money. For Bowden, it was also about stepping away from the coach who played a major role in shaping his career.
Chad Bowden recently discussed this emotional transition on Kyle Matthews’ Mentality Podcast, posted on YouTube on April 9. He opened up about the longstanding relationship he shared with Marcus Freeman, which began back in 2017 at Cincinnati. Back then, Bowden was just an intern, and Freeman was the defensive coordinator. Their bond only grew stronger when Freeman took over Notre Dame’s defense in 2021 and brought Bowden in as his top recruiting aide. Reflecting on his move to USC, Bowden admitted it was the hardest decision of his life. When asked if it felt like he was rejecting coach Luke Fickell, his answer was a firm “yes.”
Bowden acknowledged that he struggled with the emotional side of leaving. He described Freeman as a big brother and best friend — someone who even stood in his wedding. “I love him,” he said candidly. But Bowden also understood that their paths wouldn’t always align. In January, he made the decision to head west to California. Despite Notre Dame’s best efforts to keep him, USC meant something different to him on a personal level. He grew up watching Trojans legends like Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, and USC held a special place in his heart.
Now at USC, Bowden is embracing a fresh start. No longer under the wings of Freeman or Fickell, he’s operating independently and thriving. He believed USC would offer him long-term success and sustainability. Since arriving, he’s already brought in top talent, including Zaire Turner from Notre Dame, Dre Brown from Illinois, and Max Steinecker from Wisconsin. Bowden shared that he told his wife Ava that his time with USC has made him the happiest he’s felt in a long time.
He’s not just settling in — he’s setting the tone for the future. Bowden made it clear that USC’s recruiting strategy is to focus primarily on high school players, with the transfer portal playing a supporting role. One of his early triumphs includes landing 4-star running back Deshonne Redeaux for the 2026 class. That class already ranks second in the nation with 22 commits.
Even though the move came with emotional weight, Bowden is fully leaning into his new role at USC. He’s building something significant, rooted in a dream that began back when he was just a kid watching Trojans greats. For him, this isn’t just a job change — it’s the next chapter in a long-held ambition.