Freeman Rising, Brian Kelly stumbling: Notre Dame Football's new chapter in 2024

Heading into the 2024 season, both Notre Dame Football and LSU carried high expectations as their coaches entered their third seasons at the helm. After a controversial breakup between Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish, many ND fans were unhappy with how things ended, although players welcomed the promotion of Marcus Freeman.

Since then, fans have closely watched both coaches to see how they would fare in their respective new roles. Now in year three, Freeman, despite a tough home loss to Northern Illinois, is knocking on the College Football Playoff door, while Kelly and the Tigers might find themselves on the outside looking in on the first 12-team CFP Playoff.

Marcus Freeman: Building success and momentum for Notre Dame Football

Freeman has hit the nine-win mark in each of his first two seasons with the Irish and is on pace not only to reach that again in year three but possibly to finish with eleven wins. This season, Freeman is coaching a team primarily recruited by his staff. While Kelly left behind a strong class, ranked fourth nationally, Freeman's recruiting efforts since then have arguably been even more successful, building a roster that’s deeper and more competitive.

There have been moments of doubt, particularly after losses to teams Notre Dame was expected to beat, such as the early season home defeat to Northern Illinois. However, it’s important to remember that Freeman is still in his 30s and has just two full seasons as a head coach under his belt. Notre Dame is a program where patience isn’t abundant, given the high expectations, but how the Irish have bounced back after the Northern Illinois loss reflects the growth of the team, the coaching staff, and, ultimately, Freeman himself.

The Irish are still in control of their playoff destiny, sitting at 8-1 with impressive wins over Louisville and Texas A&M. A crucial test against Army in a couple of weeks provides an additional opportunity to make their case to the committee.

Confidence is growing in South Bend. Despite significant injuries that could have derailed their season, the Irish have stayed the course, winning each of their games since the Northern Illinois loss by at least 30 points. They’re heating up at the right time, and if they can finish the season strong and make the College Football Playoff, it could provide valuable momentum for Freeman’s vision of the program’s future. Even with a few stumbles, Freeman is still 10-4 against ranked opponents—compared to Kelly’s 4-8 record in such games—a promising sign for what’s to come.

Brian Kelly: Facing challenges in Baton Rouge

During his time at Notre Dame, Brian Kelly was no stranger to high expectations, though he was never able to secure the elusive "big game" win. Moving to LSU, Kelly hoped that with access to higher-caliber athletes and more relaxed recruiting restrictions, a national championship might finally be within reach.

Kelly achieved back-to-back ten-win seasons at LSU but now sits at 6-3 in 2024. While he’s had the chance to compete in more marquee games at LSU, his performance in those matchups has fallen short. This season alone, the Tigers have suffered losses to USC—a team that has underperformed—Texas A&M, which Notre Dame defeated, and Alabama, where they were dominated in a prime-time home game. To make matters worse, reports surfaced of LSU staff members leaving the field before the end of the Alabama game—not a good look for the program. Additionally, Kelly was even called out by the Louisiana Governor. 

In his third season at Notre Dame, Kelly went 12-1 and reached the BCS Championship, ultimately falling to Alabama. At LSU, however, it looks like he’ll need to wait at least another year to get back into playoff conversation and attempt to prove he can win on the biggest stage.

Year Three Verdict: Notre Dame Football and Freeman rise as Kelly struggles

While college football is unpredictable from year to year, by year three, it’s clear that Irish fans are growing less concerned about Kelly’s departure and more optimistic about Freeman’s future. Although still early in his career, Freeman is proving that he can adapt, learn, and lead Notre Dame back into the national spotlight. The 2024 season may ultimately become a defining chapter in their respective coaching careers, as Freeman positions Notre Dame on an upward trajectory, while Kelly grapples with the high-stakes challenges at LSU.