If Marcus Freeman keeps driving Notre Dame forward, the Fighting Irish won’t just aim for the playoffs—they’ll become a model for others. Freeman isn’t focused on recruiting alone. Instead, he’s building a coaching staff full of real football experts.
He wants leaders who teach, inspire, and push players to grow. His approach is about creating a culture of discipline, leadership, and constant improvement that shapes players both on and off the field.
Marcus Freeman Reveals the 3 Traits He Demands in Every Notre Dame Coach
In a late March interview with Adam Breneman, Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freeman reflected on a tough season, the team’s resilience, and the bright future ahead for the Fighting Irish. More importantly, he spoke with pride about how his team stayed strong through adversity.
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The conversation took an interesting turn when Breneman asked Freeman what he looks for when hiring young coaches, one of the toughest yet most important parts of the job. “I think I look for three things,” Freeman answered.
“One, are you competent? Can you really do the job you’re required to do? Have you shown yourself to be competent? Have you shown to be able to produce at that position that we’re looking to hire you?” he asked. For Freeman, every coach must be a teacher first. Players should not just run plays but understand why they matter.
“Two,” he continued, “is your character. Are you a good person? Do you choose hard? Do you do the right things when nobody is looking? I think that’s important.”
And finally, he added, “Three, how well do you teach? It’s one thing to know it and be competent, but it’s another to teach it and to get players to believe this is the way we’re going to do it.”
At just 39 years old, Freeman already understands that coaching goes far beyond X’s and O’s. It’s about building a culture rooted in leadership, discipline, and trust. So, although he looks for recruiters, he’s building a team of mentors and leaders.
He explained, “I would say to be a great recruiter. But to me, if you have character, you’re competent, and you’re a great teacher, you’re probably gonna be a really good recruiter because you understand that’s important.”
Freeman’s vision is clear. And the Fighting Irish are buying in. His focus on hiring the right people, teaching with purpose, and leading with integrity isn’t just setting Notre Dame up for short-term wins.
KEEP READING: Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman Shares Bold Vision for Fighting Irish National Title Run
It’s building a foundation for long-term dominance. Because in the end, Freeman knows this job is about more than football—it’s about shaping the next generation of leaders.
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