When Notre Dame named Marcus Freeman, just 35, as its head football coach, there was no telling if he was up for the task, let alone over the long haul.
, just 35, as its head football coach, there was no telling if he was up for the task, let alone over the long haul.Freeman is still the likable, charismatic guy who was promoted from defensive coordinator back in January of 2022. He’s recruited well. He’s coached well. He’s represented the university well.There were troubling early stumbles to Marshall and Stanford. There was a mid- and late-season rebound that saw the Irish finish 6-1, including victories over Clemson and South Carolina.
Kelly also arrived after having won two national titles at Division II Grand Valley, winning a MAC title at Central Michigan and going 12-0 at Cincinnati. He was far from a rookie coach. Can they make the playoffs behind quarterback Sam Hartman, who transferred in after a star career at Wake Forest? If not, can they change the dynamics of the playoff race considering they play Ohio State, Clemson and USC? Or is a backslide possible?
“Don’t focus on the national championship,” Freeman said. “… We don’t talk about ‘national championship.’ Don’t worry about Saturday. Focus on today. I think our players understand. You are in a competition today vs. your opponent. We’re both practicing today, so who is going to win today? That’s got to be your mindset.”The Notre Dame job has crushed otherwise successful, and far more experienced, coaches in the past.
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