2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

The 2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Fighting Irish played their home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and competed as an independent. The program was led by first-year head coach Marcus Freeman.

The Irish started the season 0–2, including an embarrassing loss to the Marshall Thundering Herd despite being heavy favorites. However, Notre Dame won nine of their next eleven games to finish the season. This included a memorable 35–14 win over the #4 Clemson Tigers. Their season ended with the Irish defeating South Carolina 45–38 in the 2022 Taxslayer Gator Bowl. This was only the 3rd time in the last 28 seasons that the Irish defeated another ranked team in a bowl game.

Coaching changes
On December 2, 2021, following the departure of Brian Kelly to LSU, defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was promoted to head coach.

The following coaches left the football program:
 * WR coach Del Alexander left for a position at Georgia Tech
 * OL coach Jeff Quinn was not retained.
 * ST coach Brian Polian left for a position at LSU.
 * DL coach & recruiting coordinator Mike Elston left for a position at Michigan.
 * RB coach & run game coordinator Lance Taylor left for the offensive coordinator position at Louisville.
 * TE coach John McNulty left for the offensive coordinator position at Boston College.

New coaches announced in a press conference on February 17, 2022
 * Harry Hiestand, rehired to coach offensive line
 * Gerad Parker, hired to coach tight ends
 * Al Washington, hired to coach defensive line
 * Al Golden, hired to coach linebackers and as defensive coordinator
 * Chansi Stuckey, hired to coach wide receivers
 * Brian Mason, hired to coach special teams
 * Deland McCullough, hired to coach running backs

Transfers in

 * DL Chris Smith transferred in from Harvard.
 * S Brandon Joseph transferred in from Northwestern.
 * K Blake Grupe transferred in from Arkansas State.
 * P Jon Sot transferred in from Harvard.

Departures
NFL Transfers out Other
 * S Kyle Hamilton (drafted by the Baltimore Ravens)
 * RB Kyren Williams (drafted by the Los Angeles Rams)
 * WR Kevin Austin Jr. (signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars)
 * QB Jack Coan (signed with the Indianapolis Colts)
 * DL Kurt Hinish (signed with the Houston Texans)
 * LB Isaiah Pryor (signed with the New Orleans Saints)
 * DL Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (signed with the Las Vegas Raiders)
 * LB Drew White (signed with the Washington Commanders)
 * K Jonathan Doerer (invited to New York Giants minicamp)
 * OL Cain Madden (invited to New York Giants minicamp)
 * QB Brendon Clark transferred to Old Dominion
 * RB C'Bo Flemister transferred to Pittsburgh
 * WR Lawrence Keys III transferred to Tulane
 * TE George Takacs transferred to Boston College
 * OL Quinn Carroll transferred to Minnesota
 * LB Shayne Simon transferred to Pittsburgh
 * LB Paul Moala transferred to Idaho
 * CB JoJo Johnson transferred to Iowa Western Community College
 * CB Caleb Offord transferred to Buffalo
 * S K. J. Wallace transferred to Georgia Tech
 * S Litchfield Ajavon transferred to Rice
 * S Khari Gee transferred to Georgia Tech
 * K Harrison Leonard transferred to Rhode Island
 * P Jay Bramblett transferred to LSU
 * DL Kahanu Kia (Mormon missionary)
 * OL John Dirksen (retired from football)

Schedule
Notre Dame announced and finalized the 2022 football schedule on December 7, 2021.