The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Marcus Freeman, has achieved a monumental milestone in college football history. He is the first Black and Asian American coach to lead a team to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. How did he get to this point? Let’s take a look at Freeman’s all-time record and coaching career.
Marcus Freeman’s All-Time Record
Freeman’s coaching journey at Notre Dame has been marked by steady dedication. Starting in 2021, he initially stepped in as an interim coach, finishing that season with a single loss. Over the years, his record has improved remarkably.
- 2021: 0-1
- 2022: 9-4
- 2023: 10-3
- 2024: 13-1
- Overall Record: 32-9
The 2024 college football season was record-setting, with 13 wins reflecting the talent of the team along with Freeman’s leadership. Despite challenges early in the season, he brought Notre Dame to its first national championship appearance since 2013.
Marcus Freeman: From Promising Player to a Coach
Before his coaching career, Freeman excelled as a linebacker with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite redshirting his freshman year due to an injury, Freeman quickly became a standout player. His collegiate stats highlight his impact.
- 2004: Four total tackles
- 2005: Redshirt (injury)
- 2006: 71 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions
- 2007: 109 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles
- 2008: 84 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
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Freeman’s performances earned a fifth-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Although he later joined the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans practice squads, his professional playing career was cut short. A routine physical revealed an enlarged heart valve, leading to his retirement in 2010.
After retiring as a player, Freeman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in the same year. He then served in various roles, steadily climbing the coaching ranks:
- Kent State (2011-12): Linebackers Coach
- Purdue (2013-15): Linebackers Coach
- Purdue (2016): Co-Defensive Coordinator
- Cincinnati (2017-20): Defensive Coordinator
- Notre Dame (2021): Defensive Coordinator
When Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for the LSU Tigers in December 2021, Freeman was promoted to head coach.
Turning the 2024 Season Around
Notre Dame’s 2024 season began with uncertainty. After a narrow 16-14 loss to the Northern Illinois Huskies in Week 2, doubts arose about Freeman’s tenure as head coach. Critics speculated whether he could guide the team to the playoffs, let alone a national title game.
Nevertheless, Freeman and the Fighting Irish silenced their doubters with a turnaround. Winning 12 consecutive games, they set a school record with 13 victories in a single season. The success also led to Freeman agreeing to a contract extension on December 15.
Notre Dame’s last national title was in 1988, and their last championship game appearance was in 2013. This year, Freeman has an opportunity to bring home the title and solidify the Fighting Irish’s place among college football’s elite programs.
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