Marcus Freeman
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1986)}}
{{for|the American football tight end|Marcus Freeman (tight end)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox college coach
| image = Marcus Freeman, University of Notre Dame Football Team Head Coach at the Pentagon on May 9, 2024 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Freeman in 2024
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = Notre Dame
| current_conference = Independent
| current_record = 33–10
| contract =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|1|10}}
| birth_place = Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| player_years1 = 2004–2008
| player_team1 = Ohio State
| player_years2 = {{NFL Year|2009}}
| player_team2 = Chicago Bears
| player_years3 = {{NFL Year|2009}}
| player_team3 = Buffalo Bills
| player_years4 = {{NFL Year|2009}}
| player_team4 = Houston Texans
| player_positions = Linebacker
| coach_years1 = 2010
| coach_team1 = Ohio State (GA)
| coach_years2 = 2011–2012
| coach_team2 = Kent State (LB)
| coach_years3 = 2013–2015
| coach_team3 = Purdue (LB)
| coach_years4 = 2016
| coach_team4 = Purdue (co-DC/LB)
| coach_years5 = 2017–2020
| coach_team5 = Cincinnati (DC/LB)
| coach_years6 = 2021
| coach_team6 = Notre Dame (DC/LB)
| coach_years7 = 2021–present
| coach_team7 = Notre Dame
| overall_record = 33–10
| bowl_record = 4–2
| tournament_record = 3–1 (CFP)
| championships =
| awards = {{plainlist|
;As a head coach
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2024)
- George Munger Award (2024)
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2024)
- NCMFC College Coach of the Year (2024)
;As a player
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2007, 2008)
}}
| coaching_records =
}}
Marcus Louis Freeman (born January 10, 1986) is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He previously served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Notre Dame in 2021. Freeman also was an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati, Purdue University, Kent State University, and Ohio State University.
Freeman played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He was a member of the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, but never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.
Early life and education
Marcus Freeman was born at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.{{Cite web|date=September 2, 2006|title=Picture Perfect|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/picture-perfect/|access-date=December 2, 2021|website=Ohio State Buckeyes|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Brice |first=John |date=October 15, 2021 |title=Marcus Freeman: 'The Gold Standard' Notre Dame assistant driven for success |url=https://footballscoop.com/news/marcus-freeman-notre-dame-college-football |access-date=December 2, 2021 |work=Footballscoop |language=en}} Freeman's mother, Chong Freeman, is from South Korea,{{Cite news |last=Shepkowski |first=Nick |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman visits White House |url=https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/gallery/white-house-marcus-freeman-notre-dame/ |access-date=April 28, 2023 |work=Fighting Irish Wire|publisher=USA Today}} and met his father, Michael Freeman, an African American, while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force and then moved to Ohio in 1976.{{cite news |last1=Berardino |first1=Mike |title='That could be my mom:' Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman troubled by violence against Asians |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/2022/04/28/notre-dame-football-coach-marcus-freeman-asian-heritage-violence-korean-chong-mother-hines-ward/9563618002/ |access-date=April 28, 2023 |work=Notre Dame Insider}}{{cite news |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman attends state dinner |url=https://wsbt.com/news/local/notre-dame-coach-marcus-freeman-attends-state-dinner-mom-south-korea-fighting-irish-white-house |access-date=April 28, 2023 |work=WSBT |language=en}} He has an older brother, Michael Jr.{{Cite web|date=August 7, 2008|title=Video: Football Camp Spotlight on Marcus Freeman|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/video-football-camp-spotlight-on-marcus-freeman/|access-date=December 2, 2021|website=Ohio State Buckeyes|language=en-US}}
Freeman attended Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. He totaled 152 tackles, including 29 behind the line of scrimmage, and eight sacks as a junior. As a senior, he was rated as one of the top three overall prospects in Ohio and was named to the Parade All-American Team after being credited with 127 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries as a senior.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Freeman was a four-year starter and a two-time first-team All-Ohio selection. He was also part of the track and field team, competing in the 4 × 100 metres relay and throwing the shot and discus. As a freshman, Freeman was part of the team that won the OHSAA track and field championship.
College playing career
=2004 season=
{{See also|2004 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
Freeman finished his freshman season in 2004 with four tackles (one solo) while playing in 13 games.
=2005 season=
{{See also|2005 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
Freeman was redshirted in 2005 after injuring his knee in the Buckeyes' first game against Miami (OH).{{cite web |last1=Dodson |first1=Philip |title=The Talent of The 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/398372-the-talent-of-the-2005-ohio-state-buckeyes |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=January 4, 2025 |date=May 29, 2010}}
=2006 season=
{{See also|2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
During the 2006 season, Freeman made 71 tackles while playing in 13 games, 11 of which he started, and was second on the team with six pass break-ups and two interceptions.
=2007 season=
{{See also|2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
In 2007, Freeman was a second-year starting linebacker and a part of three special units. He was later named second-team All-Big Ten after he totaled 109 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and five pass deflections.
=2008 season=
{{See also|2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team}}
In 2008, Freeman started all 13 games for the Buckeyes, tallying 84 tackles (39 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and 3.5 sacks. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Big Ten second team for a second straight year and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection. Following the season, Freeman declared for the 2009 NFL draft.
Freeman appeared in 51 games (37 starts) throughout his career. He started 26 games at weak-side linebacker and 11 games at strong-side linebacker and was a two-time Second-team All-Big Ten selection. He finished his career 19th on the school's all-time tackle list with 268 stops (140 solo) and was credited with 21.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, 15 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ohio State Buckeyes|color=white}};" colspan="16"| Ohio State Buckeyes | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="3"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Sck | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | FF | TD |
| 2004
| 12 || 0 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2005
| 0 || 0 || colspan="13"| File:Redshirt.svg Redshirt | ||||||||||||||
| 2006
| 13 || 11 || 34 || 37 || 71 || 2.5 || 1.0 || 2 || 5 || 2.5 || 0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2007
| 13 || 13 || 66 || 43 || 109 || 9.5 || 1.5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2008
| 13 || 13 || 39 || 45 || 84 || 9.5 || 3.5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 4 || 1 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/marcus-freeman-2.html Career]
! 51 | 37 | 140 | 128 | 268 | 21.5 | 6.0 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Professional playing career
=Pre-draft=
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1
| weight = 239
| arm span = 32
| hand span = 9
| dash = 4.74
| ten split = 1.64
| twenty split = 2.77
| shuttle = 4.12
| cone drill = 6.98
| vertical = 37
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| bench = 30
| wonderlic =
| note = Arm and hand spans from Pro Day, all other values from NFL Combine.{{cite web |title=Marcus Freeman, DS #8 OLB, Ohio State |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=10410&DraftYear=2009 |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 8, 2021}}
}}
=Chicago Bears (2009)=
Freeman was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/draft.htm |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} On September 4, he was waived.
=Buffalo Bills (2009)=
On September 22, 2009, Freeman signed onto the Buffalo Bills practice squad.{{cite web |title=Bills sign former Wayne, OSU star Freeman |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/high-school/bills-sign-former-wayne-osu-star-freeman/2KKxbOwE0U6q63muSd6ifP/ |website=Dayton Daily News |access-date=January 5, 2025 |date=September 23, 2009}} The team later released him on October 5.
=Houston Texans (2009)=
On November 4, 2009, Freeman signed with the Houston Texans.
=Retirement=
On May 1, 2010, Freeman retired due to an enlarged heart condition.
Coaching career
=Ohio State (2010)=
Freeman served as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in 2010.{{cite web |last1=Lesmerises |first1=Doug |title=Former Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman enjoys up-close look at business side of college sports |url=https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2010/09/former_ohio_state_linebacker_m.html |website=Cleveland.com |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=September 24, 2010}}
=Kent State (2011–2012)=
In January 2011, Freeman was hired as the linebackers coach for Kent State, a position he would hold until 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2010/12/assistant_coach_marcus_freeman.html |title=Assistant coach Marcus Freeman follows Darrell Hazell to Kent State: Ohio State Buckeyes Insider |author=Doug Lesmerises |date=December 21, 2010 |work=Cleveland.com |access-date=December 13, 2016}}
=Purdue (2013–2016)=
On January 18, 2013, Freeman was hired as the linebackers coach for the Purdue Boilermakers.{{cite web |last1=Mochen |first1=Greg |title=Purdue Football: Boilermaker assistant accepts coaching position at Cincinnati |url=https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/purdue-football-boilermaker-assistant-accepts-coaching-position-at-cincinnati/article_4902acf8-c1ab-11e6-8cbf-d7be89664062.html |website=Purdue Exponent |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=December 13, 2016}} In 2016, Freeman was promoted to co-defensive coordinator.{{cite web |last1=Baird |first1=Nathan |title=Purdue makes Freeman co-defensive coordinator |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/football/2016/01/25/purdue-makes-freeman-co-defensive-coordinator/79307804/ |website=Journal & Courier |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=January 25, 2016}} Freeman helped transform the linebackers group into a strength for the Boilermakers, coaching future NFL players Danny Ezechukwu and Ja'Whaun Bentley.
=Cincinnati (2017–2020)=
On December 13, 2016, Freeman joined the Cincinnati Bearcats football staff as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.{{cite web |url=https://www.landof10.com/purdue/marcus-freeman-cincinnati-coach-bio-career-ohio-state |title=Purdue coach, ex-Ohio State LB Marcus Freeman announces he'll join Luke Fickell's Cincinnati staff |author=Steven Petrella |date=December 13, 2016 |publisher=Cox Media Group |work=www.landof10.com |access-date=December 13, 2016}} After being one of the first hires by Luke Fickell, Freeman transformed the Bearcats into one of the best defenses of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). In 2018, Freeman's defense led the AAC in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense and ranked among the Top-15 in the NCAA FBS in all three categories. The next season, the Bearcats finished atop the 2019 AAC ranks in scoring defense for the second-straight season and ranked among the league's top three in rushing and total defense.{{cite web |url=https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/marcus-freeman/1582 |title=Marcus Freeman |author= |website=gobearcats.com |access-date=August 27, 2020}}
Prior to the end of the 2020 season, Freeman had declined a handful of positions to remain at Cincinnati including offers of returning to Ohio State as linebackers coach,{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/college/ohio-state/Article/Marcus-Freeman-offered-Ohio-State-Buckeyes-football-linebacker-coach-job-127700876/ |title=Report: Marcus Freeman was offered Buckeye linebacker job |last=Murphy |first=Patrick |date=January 11, 2019 |website=247sports.com |access-date=August 26, 2020 |quote=}} linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans,{{cite web |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2020/02/04/uc-bearcats-dc-marcus-freeman-reportedly-turned-down-offer-from-titans/ |title=UC Bearcats DC Marcus Freeman reportedly turned down offer from Titans |last=Froyd|first=Crissy |date=February 4, 2020 |website=USA Today |access-date=August 26, 2020 |quote=}} and defensive coordinator at Michigan State,{{cite web |url=https://detroitsportsnation.com/cincinatti-dc-marcus-freeman-rejects-significant-attempt-michigan-state-hire/mwhitaker/college-sports/02/16/2020/219705/ |title=CINCINNATI DC MARCUS FREEMAN REJECTS "SIGNIFICANT ATTEMPT" BY MICHIGAN STATE TO HIRE HIM |last=Whitaker |first=Michael |date=February 16, 2020 |website=detroitsportsnation.com |access-date=August 26, 2020 |quote=}} among other offers. Freeman had been considered by a number of national outlets as one of the rising stars of the college coaching ranks.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/2020587/2020/08/25/feldman-15-college-football-coordinators-to-watch-this-fall/ |title=Feldman: 15 college football coordinators to watch this fall |last=Feldman |first=Bruce |date=August 25, 2020 |website=theathletic.com |url-access=subscription |publisher=The Athletic |access-date=August 26, 2020 |quote=}}
Freeman was a finalist for the Broyles Award and named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year during the 2020 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30613231/alabama-crimson-tide-oc-steve-sarkisian-wins-broyles-award |title=Alabama Crimson Tide OC Steve Sarkisian wins Broyles Award |last=Khan Jr |first=Sam |date=December 28, 2020 |website=ESPN |access-date=December 28, 2020 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/college/cincinnati/Article/Marcus-Freeman-247Sports-defensive-coordinator-of-the-year-Cincinnati-Bearcats-158000547/ |title=Marcus Freeman is 247Sports' Defensive Coordinator of the Year |last=Marcello |first=Brandon |date=December 29, 2020 |website=247sports.com |publisher=247Sports |access-date=December 29, 2020 |quote=}}
=Notre Dame (2021–present)=
On January 8, 2021, Freeman was hired as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Freeman was the top choice for the position of head coach Brian Kelly.{{cite web |url=https://und.com/marcus-freeman-to-join-notre-dame-as-bob-hinton-defensive-coordinator-linebackers-coach/ |title=Marcus Freeman to Join Notre Dame as Bob Hinton Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach |last=Khan |first=Sam Jr. |date=January 8, 2021 |website=Notre Dame Athletics |access-date=January 8, 2021}} Prior to this hiring, it was rumored that Freeman would join LSU in the same role.{{Cite web|last=Vowles|first=Joshua|date=January 8, 2021|title=LSU likely to sign top Notre Dame DC candidate, Marcus Freeman|url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/1/8/22220946/notre-dame-football-lsu-likely-to-sign-top-irish-defensive-coordinator-candidate-marcus-freeman-nd|access-date=January 8, 2021|website=One Foot Down|language=en}}
==2021 season==
{{See also|2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
Following the 2021 regular season, Brian Kelly left Notre Dame to become the head coach for LSU.{{Cite web |website=ESPN |last=Dinich |first=Heather |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32777349/sources-notre-dame-fighting-irish-expected-announce-hiring-marcus-freeman-head-football-coach-friday-morning |title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish elevate defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head football coach |date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=December 3, 2021}} On December 3, 2021, Freeman was selected to replace him, becoming the 32nd head coach in program history.{{cite news |first=Shehan |last=Jeyarajah |date=December 2, 2021 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-hires-marcus-freeman-as-next-coach-irish-listen-to-players-also-retain-tommy-rees-to-lead-offense/ |title=Notre Dame hires Marcus Freeman as next coach: Irish listen to players, also retain Tommy Rees to lead offense |access-date=December 3, 2021 |website=CBS Sports}} Freeman took control immediately, coaching the Irish in their Fiesta Bowl loss to No. 9 Oklahoma State.{{cite magazine |last1=Driskell |first1=Bryan |title=Marcus Freeman Discusses Notre Dame's Fiesta Bowl Loss To Oklahoma State |url=https://www.si.com/college/notredame/football/notre-dame-football-marcus-freeman-talks-loss-to-oklahoma-state |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=January 2, 2022}}
==2022 season==
{{See also|2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
Freeman opened the 2022 season with losses to No. 2 Ohio State and Marshall, thus becoming first head coach in Notre Dame history to start his career with three losses.{{cite web |last1=Fornelli |first1=Tom |title=Now 0–3, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman must dig himself out of the worst start in program history |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/now-0-3-notre-dame-coach-marcus-freeman-must-dig-himself-out-of-the-worst-start-in-program-history/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=January 6, 2025 |date=September 10, 2022}}
He gained his first win the following week against the California Golden Bears. Freeman's Irish would go on to finish the regular season ranked 19th with a record of 8–4, including a win over No. 5 Clemson. They were awarded a berth in the Gator Bowl, where they defeated South Carolina 45–38.
==2023 season==
{{See also|2023 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
Analysts anticipated the 2023 season would be a step forward for Freeman’s Fighting Irish. During the offseason, they secured the top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, and they entered the season ranked 13th. After beginning the season 4–0 with comfortable wins over Navy, Tennessee State, North Carolina State, and Central Michigan, the Irish rose to 9th in the rankings. They fell at home the next week to Ohio State, 17–14, in a heartbreaking loss that saw Notre Dame with only 10 players on the field, instead of the usual 11, twice on Ohio State’s game winning drive. They rebounded the next week with a thrilling win over No. 17 Duke, but then lost the following game to No. 25 Louisville. One week later, Irish enjoyed a season-defining 48–20 victory over No. 10 USC and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams. Following a bye week, Freeman’s Irish defeated Pittsburgh and fell to unranked Clemson before winning against Wake Forest and Stanford to finish the regular season 9–3. They faced No. 19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, winning 40–8 to conclude the season 10–3 and ranked 14th. The 2023 campaign was defined by strong performances from star running back Audric Estime, quarterback Sam Hartman, tight end Mitchell Evans, and safety Xavier Watts, but it was also marred by poor play at the wide receiver position, especially following early injuries to veteran receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie. Evans’ injury against Pittsburgh left the Irish without any reliable pass catchers, and the team struggled when unable to run the ball at will.
Following the season, Freeman fired wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, prompting the departure of starting wide receivers Chris Tyree, Tobias Meriweather, and Rico Flores Jr. Freeman hired Mike Brown as the new receivers coach on December 10. He then got quarterback Riley Leonard in the transfer portal from Duke.
==2024 season==
{{See also|2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team}}
File:2025-0118 Marcus Freeman.jpg.]]
Freeman’s 2024 squad started their campaign successfully on the road against No. 20 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas with a 23–13 win, but followed that victory up with a 16–14 loss to Northern Illinois as a 29.5-point betting favorite, becoming the first AP Top 5 team to ever suffer a loss to a football team from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Irish finished the regular season with a 10-game winning streak with wins over No. 15 Louisville, No. 24 Navy, No. 19 Army, and a 49–35 win against USC in the renewed rivalry game.
The Irish were granted the 7th seed in the College Football Playoff, hosting their first-ever home playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium. Freeman would win his first playoff game with a 27–17 win over 10th-seeded Indiana. Originally Notre Dame was set to play the 2nd-seeded Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2025, but due to the 2025 New Orleans truck attack that happened near the Caesars Superdome the game was rescheduled to the following day. Notre Dame beat Georgia by a score of 23–10, marking the first time in program history that Notre Dame had a 13-win season. Notre Dame would then proceed to beat the 6th-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, advancing to the national title game for the first time in 12 years. Freeman became the first African American, as well as the first Asian American, head coach to reach a Division I national college football championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/marcus-freeman-offers-inspiring-message-as-first-black-coach-to-reach-college-football-national-championship/|title=Marcus Freeman offers inspiring message as first Black coach to reach college football national championship|first=Will|last=Backus|work=CBS Sports|date=January 9, 2025|accessdate=January 10, 2025}} They lost the championship game to the Ohio State Buckeyes 34–23, the winner of the Cotton Bowl Classic.{{cite web | last=Pells | first=Eddie | title=Ohio State wins 1st national title since 2014, outlasting Notre Dame 34-23 in CFP championship game | website=AP News | date=January 20, 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/cfp-national-championship-ohio-state-notre-dame-1179b47b57053e9a237f98ca56ebe50d | access-date=January 21, 2025}}
Head coaching record
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Notre Dame Fighting Irish
| conf = NCAA Division I FBS independent
| startyear = 2021
| endyear =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2021
| name = Notre Dame
| overall = 0–1{{#tag:ref|Head coach Brian Kelly resigned after the regular season to become the head coach at LSU. Freeman coached the 2022 Fiesta Bowl in Kelly’s place. Notre Dame credits the regular season to Kelly and the Fiesta Bowl to Freeman.|group=n|name=2021season}}
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname = Fiesta
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 9
| ranking2 = 8
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2022
| name = Notre Dame
| overall = 9–4
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname = Gator
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 18
| ranking2 = 18
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2023
| name = Notre Dame
| overall = 10–3
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname = Sun
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 14
| ranking2 = 14
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2024
| name = Notre Dame
| overall = 14–2
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname = CFP First Round†, W Sugar†, W Orange†, L CFP NCG
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 2
| ranking2 = 2
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Notre Dame
| overall = 33–10
| confrecord =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 33–10
| yearstart = 2024
| yearend =
| poll = two
| legend = yes
}}
{{reflist|group=n}}
Personal life
In 2010, Freeman married Joanna (née Herncane), whom he had dated since college. The couple have six children.{{Cite web|date=December 2, 2021|title=Who is Marcus Freeman's wife, Joanna? Family of the Notre Dame coach|url=https://www.thefocus.news/sports/who-is-marcus-freemans-wife/|access-date=December 2, 2021|website=The Focus|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=January 8, 2021|title=Marcus Freeman|url=https://und.com/coach/marcus-freeman/|access-date=December 2, 2021|website=Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website|language=en-US}} In 2022, Freeman became a Catholic.{{Citation |title=Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time |date=September 11, 2022 |url=https://bulletins.discovermass.com/download.php?bulletin=pGkhf%2BK5xJNWTRQQd%2FccypklaIw2M%2FKVZzhgij4Q5bAK0UULS9qWQvPNiOh6%2F8pYlzGlx%2F1akmtpwware%2FqsEDNhnCjA1bHEX48ImGMngRE%3D |work=St. Pius Bulletin |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914143203/https://bulletins.discovermass.com/download.php?bulletin=pGkhf%2BK5xJNWTRQQd%2FccypklaIw2M%2FKVZzhgij4Q5bAK0UULS9qWQvPNiOh6%2F8pYlzGlx%2F1akmtpwware%2FqsEDNhnCjA1bHEX48ImGMngRE%3D |place=Granger, Indiana |publisher=St. Pius X Catholic Church |quote=Fr. Bill recently concelebrated in a Mass where Marcus Freeman was received into the Catholic Church. After preparing with Fr. Nate Wills, C.S.C., chaplain of the Notre Dame football team, Marcus made a profession of faith, was confirmed, and received his First Holy Communion. |archive-date=September 14, 2022}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://und.com/coach/marcus-freeman/ Notre Dame profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090429082752/http://www.chicagobears.com/team/player224.html Chicago Bears profile]
{{NCAA Division I FBS independents football coach navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Marcus Freeman—awards and honors
| list =
{{Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coach navbox}}
{{Bobby Dodd Award}}
{{George Munger Award}}
{{Bear Bryant Award}}
{{Bears2009DraftPicks}}
}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeman, Marcus}}
Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen
Category:20th-century American sportsmen
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:African-American coaches of American football
Category:American football linebackers
Category:American sportspeople of Korean descent
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Cincinnati Bearcats football coaches
Category:Coaches of American football from Ohio
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Kent State Golden Flashes football coaches
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football coaches
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football coaches
Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players
Category:People from Huber Heights, Ohio
Category:Players of American football from Ohio
Category:Purdue Boilermakers football coaches