One name comes to mind when the world thinks of Notre Dame football today. And that is Marcus Freeman. The 38-year-old head coach joined the Fighting Irish as the head coach in 2021 after a brief stint as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.
Freeman led the squad to a 14–2 record in 2024 and to the Sugar and Orange Bowls. The team also went to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Sure, they lost that final, but it was still a brilliant season. Since he took over, Notre Dame has had a 33–10 record. But before the headset and the clipboard, Freeman was a collegiate legend.
Marcus Freeman’s Playing Career: From Ohio State Linebacker to Rising Coach
Before Freeman ever called plays on the sidelines, he used to wear scarlet and grey at Ohio State University. Freeman was born on January 10, 1986, at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up with absolute discipline. His mother, Chong, came from South Korea, and his father, Michael, served in the U.S. Air Force. That blend of cultures made him the man he is today.
Freeman’s football journey started at Wayne High School in Huber Heights. He had over 150 tackles as a junior and nearly as many in his senior year. So, of course, it is no surprise that he was one of Ohio’s top recruits. He even moonlighted on the track team, tossing the shot put and flying down the relay lanes. In 2004, Freeman joined the Ohio State Buckeyes.
And as a freshman, he made four tackles. However, things took a slight turn in 2005, his sophomore year. Freeman redshirted the year due to a knee injury. Freeman returned in 2006. And he came back with 71 tackles and two interceptions. By the time he finished 2007 his junior year, he had 109 tackles and a second-team All-Big Ten nod.
Then came 2008, his senior year. Freeman went on to make 84 tackles. But stats only tell part of the story.
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Freeman was everywhere on that field. He started 37 games, finishing with 268 career tackles. His 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, and relentlessness made him a nightmare for the opposing offense.
In 2009, the NFL came knocking. Freeman was drafted in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears. But the NFL was tricky for Freeman. The Bears waived him the same year. He then joined the Buffalo Bills. But the team released him within a month. Then came the
Houston Texans. He was there for a few months before retiring in 2019 due to a heart condition.
And then came Freeman’s coaching era. And the rest is, as they say, history.
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