Marcus Freeman: Elevating Notre Dame Football

Marcus Freeman has quickly become a prominent figure in college football, particularly for his leadership at the University of Notre Dame. This article examines his coaching career, accomplishments, and impact on the Fighting Irish program, comparing him to other top coaches in the nation.

Early Life and Playing Career

Marcus Freeman was born on January 10, 1986. He excelled as a linebacker at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, earning Parade All-American honors. His impressive high school performance led him to Ohio State University, where he continued his football career.

At Ohio State, Freeman was a four-year starter and a two-time Second-team All-Big Ten selection. He appeared in 51 games, starting 26 at weak-side linebacker and 11 at strong-side linebacker. His college career highlights included 84 tackles (39 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in his senior year.

After college, Freeman was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Although he was released before the regular season, he spent time on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, gaining valuable experience in the professional football environment.

Transition to Coaching

Freeman's coaching career began shortly after his time in the NFL. He started as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before moving to Kent State, where he coached linebackers from 2011 to 2012. His ability to develop players was evident early, as he mentored all-conference selections Luke Batton and C.J.

In 2013, Freeman joined Purdue University's coaching staff. He spent four years with the Boilermakers, eventually becoming the co-defensive coordinator in 2016. His time at Purdue allowed him to further refine his coaching skills and gain experience in defensive strategy.

Cincinnati Bearcats: Defensive Coordinator

Freeman's career took a significant leap forward when he joined the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2017 as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under head coach Luke Fickell. He transformed the Bearcats' defense into one of the best in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). In 2018, Cincinnati's defense led the AAC in rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense, ranking among the top 15 in the NCAA FBS in all three categories.

His success at Cincinnati drew attention from several major programs. Before the end of the 2020 season, Freeman declined offers from Ohio State (as linebackers coach), the Tennessee Titans (as linebackers coach), and Michigan State (as defensive coordinator), choosing to remain with the Bearcats.

Notre Dame: Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach

On January 8, 2021, Freeman was hired as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. His impact was immediate, as he brought a new energy and defensive philosophy to the program. Following the 2021 regular season, head coach Brian Kelly left Notre Dame to become the head coach at LSU. On December 3, 2021, Freeman was selected to replace him, becoming the 32nd head coach in program history. This decision was influenced by the strong support he had garnered from the players.

Early Challenges and Adjustments

Freeman's tenure as head coach began with challenges. He coached the Irish in their Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State. He opened the 2022 season with losses, digging himself out of the worst start in program history. However, he secured his first win against the California Golden Bears. The Irish finished the regular season ranked 19th with an 8-4 record, including a notable win over No. 5 Clemson.

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2023 Season: Building Momentum

Analysts anticipated the 2023 season would be a step forward for Freeman's Fighting Irish. They secured Wake Forest's Sam Hartman, the top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal, and entered the season ranked 13th. After starting the season 4-0, the Irish rose to 9th in the rankings. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State and a defeat against Louisville, Notre Dame secured a season-defining 48-20 victory over No. 10 USC. The Irish concluded the regular season at 9-3 and defeated No. 19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, finishing the season 10-3 and ranked 14th.

The 2023 campaign showcased strong performances from players like Audric Estime, Sam Hartman, Mitchell Evans, and Xavier Watts. However, the team faced challenges at the wide receiver position, leading to changes in the coaching staff and player roster. Freeman hired Mike Brown as the new receivers coach on December 10.

2024 Season: Playoff Success

Freeman's 2024 squad started their campaign successfully on the road against No. 20 Texas A&M with a 23-13 win. Despite a loss to Northern Illinois, the Irish finished the regular season with a 10-game winning streak. The Irish were granted the 7th seed in the College Football Playoff, hosting their first-ever home playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium, where Freeman won his first playoff game with a 27-17 win over 10th-seeded Indiana. After defeating the 2nd-seeded Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl and the 6th-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, the Irish advanced to the national title game for the first time in 12 years.

Notable Achievements and Recognition

Marcus Freeman's coaching achievements have not gone unnoticed. He was named the 2024 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, 2024 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, 2024 George Munger Coach of the Year, and College Football Coach of the Year (NCMFC). Safety Xavier Watts earned consensus All-America honors in 2024, and linebacker Jack Kiser was named to the AFCA Good Works Team. Additionally, offensive tackle Joe Alt was drafted as the number four overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Comparing Freeman to Other Top Coaches

When evaluating Marcus Freeman's standing among college football coaches, it's essential to consider his accomplishments, potential, and the trajectory of his program. While rankings are subjective, a comparison with other prominent coaches provides valuable context.

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Curt Cignetti and Ryan Day

Two coaches often mentioned as being definitively above Freeman are Curt Cignetti of Indiana and Ryan Day of Ohio State. Cignetti's rapid transformation of Indiana into a national championship-winning program is unparalleled. Day has consistently kept Ohio State in the national championship conversation, winning a title and maintaining a perfect head-to-head record against Freeman and Notre Dame.

Kirby Smart

Kirby Smart of Georgia is another coach frequently compared to Freeman. Smart has two national championships with Georgia and multiple SEC Championships. However, Georgia's recent playoff performance, including a Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame, suggests that the two coaches are closely matched. The question is whether Freeman can lead Notre Dame to a national championship sooner than Smart wins his next.

Lane Kiffin, Dan Lanning, and Others

Other coaches like Lane Kiffin (LSU) and Dan Lanning (Oregon) are also in the mix. Lanning's Oregon team has consistently performed well, but Freeman's 2024 postseason run could give him an edge. Kiffin's success at Ole Miss is notable, and his move to LSU presents an opportunity to elevate his status further.

Coaches such as Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Mario Cristobal (Miami), and Mike Elko (Texas A&M) are also part of the conversation. Their ability to build and sustain success at their respective programs will determine their long-term standing among the elite coaches.

Nick Shepkowski's Top 10

According to Nick Shepkowski's rankings, the top 10 college football coaches currently are:

Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Dan Lanning, Oregon
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Lane Kiffin, LSU
Mario Cristobal, Miami
Kyle Whittingham, Michigan
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Matt Campbell, Penn State

This ranking places Freeman in the top tier, recognizing his achievements and potential at Notre Dame.

Personal Life and Faith

Marcus Freeman is married to Joanna (née Herncane), whom he met in college. Together, they have a family. Freeman is also known for his strong faith. He was received into the Catholic Church, highlighting the importance of faith in his life.

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