Joel Klatt declares future national championship for Notre Dame if Marcus Freeman stays

Notre Dame made a great College Football Playoff run, winning three games before arriving in Atlanta. Ohio State put an end to the goal of winning a national championship though, taking down the Irish 34-23. So close to the sport’s pinnacle for Marcus Freeman in just his third season in charge after taking over for Brian Kelly.

FOX’s Joel Klatt is confident Freeman will get there with Notre Dame one day. After taking in the Irish’s performance, one of his takeaways was that Freeman would win a national championship. There might be NFL interest down the road but if Notre Dame can keep ahold of the head coach, they will one day break their title drought.

“After last night, I think Marcus Freeman, if he decides to stay there,” Klatt said. “Obviously, he’s going to have NFL suitors whether it’s now or in the subsequent years. If Marcus Freeman stays at Notre Dame for any length of time, I think he wins a national championship at Notre Dame. I think they are upper crest, elite program.”

Notre Dame is certainly hoping they hold on to Freeman. The Chicago Bears reportedly had interest in speaking to him after his season was done. Chicago eventually hired Ben Johnson before having the opportunity to sit down with Freeman.

“To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling,” Freeman said before the Ohio State game. “It’s the NFL. But it’s also a reminder of with team success comes individual success. I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been on getting this team prepared for every opportunity we have in front of us.”

Freeman is going to be back for the 2025 season and Notre Dame hopes for a few more seasons. Klatt believes a national championship is coming at some point. He does have high expectations for next year, citing a solid offensive line and both running backs — Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price — returning for another campaign.

Joel Klatt complimentary of Notre Dame culture under Marcus Freeman

This point from Klatt came after discussing the effort Notre Dame put in during Monday’s second half. Ohio State appeared to be running away with the game with a 21-7 lead at halftime. But all of a sudden, things got interesting as Freeman’s squad fought for all 60 minutes.

Klatt attributes the culture Freeman has built in South Bend, giving him confidence in the program moving forward.

“That second half had a level of grit and toughness that can only be forged through a great culture,” Klatt said. “And he’s building a great culture at Notre Dame.”