Marcus Freeman is quickly making a name for himself in the college football world, despite the challenges thrown his way. While Notre Dame has faced some tough losses at home against teams like Marshall, Northern Illinois, and Stanford, Freeman has steadily turned the tide. As a head coach with only three years under his belt, and saddled with the unique schedule quirks of Notre Dame’s independent status, a championship has eluded him, but that doesn’t diminish his impact.
At just 39 years old, Freeman is staking his claim as one of the top three coaches in college football today. His tenure at Notre Dame, one of the sport’s most storied programs, has been marked by promise and growth. The Fighting Irish have gone a perfect 5-0 in their last five postseason outings under his leadership, and now find themselves on the cusp of clinching their first national title in almost four decades.
Freeman’s knack for coaching was on full display after an early season stumble against Northern Illinois. Many critics were quick to count the Irish out, but Freeman used that pressure as a catalyst for success. They’ve embarked on a scorching 13-game winning streak that takes them to the College Football Playoff National Championship, facing off against Ohio State, Freeman’s own alma mater. Impressively, 11 of those victories have been by at least two possessions, a testament to the team’s dominance.
Notre Dame’s achievement is all the more remarkable considering the obstacles they’ve overcome injury-wise. Key players have been sidelined, including cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who is seen as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Rylie Mills, the team’s sack leader, whose season ended prematurely against Indiana. Not to mention, the Irish have had to patch up their offensive line after losing standout Charles Jagusah to a pectoral injury just before the season kickoff. His return during the College Football Playoff semifinal was crucial, even as the team lost two more linemen to injury in that game against Penn State.
Far from just surviving, Freeman’s squad has thrived in the unpredictable terrain of college football. What’s intimidating for the competition is that Freeman is far from reaching his full potential. His youth and drive suggest that even greater success could be on the horizon, not just for him, but for a Notre Dame team that looks poised to reclaim its historic glory.
