Notre Dame football: Marcus Freeman blazing own path in South Bend
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program struck gold with Marcus Freeman joining last season, and now, he can blaze his own path as head coach.
Before the 2021 college football season, the Notre Dame football program was able to get Marcus Freeman to sign on to be their defensive coordinator. Widely regarded as the best person available for that position, Freeman landed in South Bend with high hopes, and he more than exceeded expectations.
From recruiting to his defense’s play on the field, Freeman showed why he was such a coveted person for this job, and that played a big role in him landing the head coaching job once Brian Kelly bolted for LSU. Freeman earned the love and respect of his players, and in doing so, the University handed him his first head coaching job, albeit under tough circumstances.
What followed was a tough loss to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, but there was also a lot of good to take out of that game. Now, as he enters his first full season as a head coach at any level, he is blazing his own path, and the feeling is nothing but positive coming out of the Notre Dame football program.
Notre Dame football is in great hands with Freeman
In 2022, the expectations are high for this Notre Dame football team, as the belief is they have the talent to be in the running for a College Football Playoff berth. They have their question marks, as does every other program, but in Freeman, they have a head coach that is breathing new life into their football program.
From his relationships with the playoffs to his approachability, Freeman is doing it his own way, and the results have been nothing but positive so far.
When it comes to recruiting, Freeman and his staff are on another level, landing the No. 1 overall class in 2023 so far, and a five-star quarterback for the 2024 group. He has Notre Dame football on par with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson when it comes to recruiting, and that could mean national titles down the road.
Freeman is doing it his own way in South Bend, and for the Notre Dame football program, that is a great thing. By all accounts, he seems to be the right coach at the right time for the Irish, and fans should be excited about what 2022, and beyond will bring under their new head coach.