Former Berwick QB/Gatorade player of the year Ron Powlus gets big promotion at Notre Dame

Tagged under: District 2, News

Billy Splain | April 30, 2026

Ron Powlus led the Bulldogs of Berwick to a national title in the mid nineties. Then he made the move that had the whole football world talking, he chose Notre Dame over just about every other school in the country. His career with Lou Holtz was slightly rocky, but never dull as the talented qb broke several records for the Irish before heading off to the NFL for a couple years. Ron returned to Notre Dame for a couple years as the Director of Player Personnel, then he assumed the QB coach job before being let go. Powlus once again returned to the Golden Dome in 2015, back in the familiar role of DoPP. His presence has helped lead the Irish to many successful seasons.

This year, the Irish are reorganizing and decided that the talent that Powlus applied to the football field would benefit the entire Notre Dame athletic department.

University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua ‘93 has announced a reorganization of the Athletics Department at the highest level, to better align with the future of the organization. Former football student-athlete, coach and current football administrator Ron Powlus ‘97 has been named the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the department’s storied history.

“The college athletics ecosystem is changing at the fastest rate in its history and this reorganization will give us the best opportunity to continue to provide an authentic and rewarding Notre Dame student-athlete experience,” said Bevacqua. “Moving Ron (Powlus) into the COO role will bring the amazing leadership that he’s consistently exhibited with our football program to the entire athletic department. I couldn’t be more excited to see how Ron leads his new divisions and how our new executive leadership team coalesces and moves us into the future at full speed.”

Powlus’ day-to-day oversight of the football program and the department’s name, image and likeness division remains unchanged, while he adds sports performance, internal operations, equipment and facilities to his purview.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this great university and athletic department,” Powlus said. “Notre Dame is a special place for me and my family and I’m energized to work with such outstanding student-athletes and staff who are joined in our shared mission of excellence and to be a force for good in the World.”

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