Marcus Freeman

Marcus Freeman is the 30th head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, a position that places him among the prominent figures in college football. Freeman played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. Following his playing career, which ended due to a heart condition, Freeman transitioned into coaching, beginning as a graduate assistant at Ohio State. He then served as linebackers coach at Kent State, moved to Purdue where he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, and later became the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati.

At Cincinnati, Freeman led a defense that topped the American Athletic Conference and ranked among the top 15 nationally in rushing, scoring, and total defense. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award and named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year. Freeman was then hired by Notre Dame as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. After Brian Kelly departed for LSU, Freeman was selected as the 30th head coach in Notre Dame program history. At 35 years old, Freeman became the youngest Notre Dame head football coach since Terry Brennan. He is the third Notre Dame head coach to have been selected in the NFL Draft, and the first since Ara Parseghian.

Freeman's early tenure included a challenging start, as he became the first head coach in Notre Dame history to begin his career with three losses. The team rebounded by winning nine of its final 11 games, including an upset of No. 5 Clemson and a Gator Bowl victory against South Carolina. Notre Dame finished 10-3 in the following season, highlighted by a win over Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams and the USC Trojans. Freeman's leadership was further demonstrated when, after a home loss to Northern Illinois, he guided the team to an undefeated run and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Freeman led Notre Dame to a program-record 14-2 season, including a Sugar Bowl win over Georgia and an Orange Bowl victory against Penn State, advancing to the national title game. He became the first African American and first Asian American head coach to reach a Division I national college football championship. Freeman received several coaching honors, including the Dodd Trophy, the Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award, the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, and the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches College Coach of the Year honor.

Freeman has developed NFL-caliber talent, with offensive lineman Joe Alt drafted as the number four overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, the highest selection for a Notre Dame player in decades. In one season, Freeman coached six players who were selected in the NFL Draft, including Benjamin Morrison, Xavier Watts, and Riley Leonard. Freeman also participates in university initiatives beyond football, engaging with alumni and the campus community through speaking events. With a program-record win total, a national championship appearance, and multiple accolades, Freeman is recognized as a significant figure in college football coaching and player development.