Sources: Notre Dame expected to promote Gerad Parker to OC

Notre Dame is expected to promote tight ends coach Gerad Parker to offensive coordinator, sources confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday, ending a roller-coaster search that initially targeted outside candidates to replace Tommy Rees, who was hired as Alabama's offensive coordinator.

After talks with Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein and Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig fizzled, the Irish turned to Parker, who spent two seasons as West Virginia's offensive coordinator (2020-21) and was Purdue's interim head coach in 2016. Parker had a formal interview on Tuesday with head coach Marcus Freeman that pushed him to the top of the list of candidates, sources said.

FootballScoop.com first reported the hire is expected.

Wisconsin assistant Gino Guidugli is expected to be the next quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, a source told ESPN's Pete Thamel. Guidugli spent the past two seasons as the playcaller at Cincinnati and was Desmond Ridder's primary coach. Guidugli followed new Badgers head coach Luke Fickell from Cincinnati to Wisconsin in December.

That leaves one offensive staff position for the Irish to fill, as offensive line coach Harry Hiestand announced his retirement on Sunday.

Sources indicated that Freeman, who is entering his second season with the Irish, wanted to hire a coordinator who would continue to run a pro-style offense that features their tight ends. Klein and Ludwig were brought to campus over the past week for in-person interviews because their offenses were similar. Klein, the Wildcats' 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist, ultimately decided it was too difficult to leave his alma mater and the players behind.

While Ludwig's buyout of at least $2 million was at the heart of negotiations, and certainly