Penn State running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider leaving for Notre Dame came as a surprise to many — including the players he recruited and coached in Happy Valley.

Ja’Juan Seider’s former boss James Franklin was very complimentary of his former RB coach as he heads off for the same position at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame is set to hire Ja’Juan Seider from Penn State as its new running backs coach, according to reports. Seider will be replacing Deland McCullough, who departed Notre Dame to accept a similar role with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

Notre Dame social media reacts to the news that Ja’Juan Seider has been hired away from Penn State as the Irish’s next running backs coach.

Seider heads to the Irish after serving as Penn State’s running backs coach, assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.

STATE COLLEGE – Penn State’s James Franklin, now in his 12th season leading the program, suddenly finds himself in the market for a new running backs coach. Franklin, speaking Tuesday afternoon at a media availability at Pegula Ice Arena, confirmed Ja’Juan Seider “has moved on” to take the same job with Notre Dame.

Notre Dame coaching target Ja'Juan Seider also held the titles of assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator for Penn State football.

Penn State assistant head football coach Ja’Juan Seider, who has developed Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, is leaving to become running backs coach at Notre Dame, a source confirmed Sunday to the Reading Eagle.

Penn State assistant coach Ja’Juan Seider, one of the top recruiters in the country, is being pursued by Notre Dame to become the team’s running backs coach, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Update: On3 and CBS Sports are reporting Seider is expected to take the Notre Dame job.

Seider has been Penn State's running backs coach for seven years and is among the team's top recruiters.

Seider is expected to make a lateral move and join Notre Dame's football staff as their new running backs coach, according to on3Sports' Pete Nakos.