Notre Dame followers have been blindsided in 2021 when long-time head coach Brian Kelly left this system for LSU. The Irish had a vivid future forward of them, with a New Yr Six bowl look and a powerful recruiting class. It was stunning that Kelly deserted this system with such a vivid future. There have been additionally considerations that newly promoted head coach Marcus Freeman couldn’t maintain the intense future on monitor for the Irish.
Nonetheless three years into the Freeman period, these considerations have been squashed. Notre Dame has a file of 30-9 in addition to an 11-4 file vs Prime 25 opponents. He’s received two bowl video games in addition to clinched a spot within the inaugural 12-team playoff. A powerful resume for somebody thrust into one of many highest-pressure jobs within the nation.
This efficiency earned Freeman a four-year extension, making him the Irish head coach by means of 2030. The compensation particulars haven’t been revealed however Freeman is believed to be one of many highest paid coaches within the nation. A well-deserved extension, and nice information for the way forward for this system. This extension ensures that Freeman will keep in South Bend. This extension additionally validates the truth that Freeman is the man who introduced Notre Dame again to the head of school soccer.
Freeman’s Capacity to Lead & Inspire
There are a number of issues Freeman has executed to make him the correct man at Notre Dame. Nonetheless, the largest one has been his management. This was the primary cause why Freeman was employed within the first place. After Kelly left for LSU, your entire group was pushing for Freeman to get promoted to go coach. Even after solely a season his management skill was felt by your entire program.
Nonetheless, his most spectacular show of management got here this season, following the heartbreaking loss to NIU. At that time, Notre Dame was at a crossroads. The Irish might crumble and it’d be yet one more season of failing to reside as much as expectations. Or they may use this as a rallying level and win out. Freeman’s management and motivation precipitated the latter to occur. Freeman stored reminding his group of the sensation after the NIU loss. Saying that the one approach to by no means really feel like that once more is to maintain profitable video games.
The NIU sport wasn’t the one time he used that technique this season. Earlier than the week 5 matchup towards Lousiville, Freeman had the 2023 sport the place the Irish misplaced to the Cardinals 33-20 enjoying on all of the TV within the amenities. He did that to remind his group how the loss felt and to encourage them to not really feel that means once more. This type of motivation has been extraordinarily efficient as Notre Dame went on a ten-game profitable streak. Freeman can join and encourage his gamers like this, and proceed to succeed, the Irish will constantly be among the finest groups within the nation.
His Capacity to Recruit
Freeman can also be among the finest recruiters within the nation. We noticed this proper off the bat when he was in a position to maintain Notre Dame’s high ten recruiting class in 2021. After Kelly left there have been fears Notre Dame would lose that sturdy class. The recruits would observe Kelly to LSU or go to a brand new college. Nonetheless, Freeman was in a position to maintain the category collectively in a short while body and it completed because the sixth finest class.
His recruiting class since taking on has been very spectacular as properly. He introduced within the tenth-best class in 2023, the eleventh-best in 2024, and is presently on monitor to land the Twelfth-best in 2025. Freeman has introduced lots of spectacular expertise into Notre Dame. If he’s in a position to land the highest 15 courses in his early season, they’ll get higher as he improves. If he can have sustained success, then the recruits will flock to South Bend. Thus making the Irish probably the most gifted groups within the nation.
Though everybody will convey up the dangerous losses to Marshall and NIU, they shouldn’t take away from Freeman. He has the flexibility to take Notre Dame to ranges they haven’t been in years.
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