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5 things Notre Dame football fans should be thankful for in 2021

By Brad Weiss

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scrambles to avoid a diving tackle attempt of Chamarri Conner #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 09: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scrambles to avoid a diving tackle attempt of Chamarri Conner #1 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
Oct 2, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman signals to his players in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

5 things Notre Dame football fans should be thankful for in 2021

Hiring Marcus Freeman as DC

The Notre Dame football team had one target this offseason when it came to the defensive coordinator position, and that target was Marcus Freeman. Former defensive coordinator Clark Lea left the Irish to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, Vanderbilt, leaving a gaping hole at the position.

Enter Freeman, who chose the Irish over LSU, and has since made his mark on the program in a monster way. First, there was all the work he put in on the recruiting trail, getting the Irish an elite class in 2022 and beyond, before turning this Irish defense into a dominating unit that is terrorizing the college football landscape.

In the last three games for Notre Dame, they have not allowed a touchdown, which is a testament to not only the roster but his game plan. Brian Kelly got his man when he was able to get Freeman to sign on the dotted line, and the future is bright for him in South Bend.

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