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LOOK: Lou Holtz visits Notre Dame, spends time with Marcus Freeman

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•02/20/22•

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Lou Holtz
Drew Angerer | Getty Images

Former Notre Dame head coach and college football legend Lou Holtz visited Marcus Freeman this weekend, sharing time with the Fight Irish’s latest leader. The two marked the occasion with a picture posted on social media.

Marcus Freeman posted the picture on his Twitter page, along with a message on his excitement to spend time with Lou Holtz.

“Coach Holtz holds a special place in Notre Dame football history,” said Freeman. “I’m grateful for the chance to spend time with him!”

Holtz coached at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996 before entering the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. During his tenure, the Fighting Irish went 100-30-2 with five bowl wins and one national championship. Holtz’s team finished inside the top 25 in nine of 11 seasons.

Marcus Freeman takes over

With his first game as Notre Dame coach in the books to wrap up the 2021 season, Marcus Freeman has a chance to reflect. Although the Fighting Irish lost 37-35 to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, it did not take away from the special feeling of the moment.

“Like everything else that’s happened in these first 28 days, it’s an honor,” Freeman said. “It’s a surreal feeling at times. I try to take it in, and I try to understand the platform you’re on; but at the same time, as the foot hit the ball, it’s time to go. It’s time to lead. It’s time to be the head coach. And so just want to make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to give these kids a chance to have success.”

Freeman spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, his first year with the team. He was quickly promoted to head coach after Brian Kelly left for the open LSU job. Prior to joining the Irish, Freeman was the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati from 2017-20.

With his first game out of the way, Marcus Freeman can now turn his attention to preparing for his first full season. He will also look to uphold the success and tradition of the program. Notre Dame made two College Football Playoff appearances under Kelly, and its fans expect to be perennial contenders.

If you thought the stakes were high for Freeman’s first game, his second one will not be any easier once the next season starts. The Fighting Irish open the 2022 season against Ohio State on Sept. 3.