Marcus Freeman describes feeling of first game as Notre Dame coach
With his first game as Notre Dame coach in the books, Marcus Freeman has a chance to reflect. Although the Fighting Irish lost 37-35 to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl, it didn’t 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.
As intimidating as making your head coaching debut in a New Year’s Six bowl must be, Freeman handled it well. Behind the first-half play of quarterback Jack Coan, Notre Dame jumped out to a 28-7 lead.
The Cowboys would come storming back in the second half though, holding the Irish scoreless until the 1:05 mark. Coan still broke a Fiesta Bowl record to finish with 509 yards passing and five touchdowns in the loss.
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With his first game out of the way, Marcus Freeman can now turn his attention to preparing for his first full season. Notre Dame signed the No. 6 overall class in 2022 according to On3’s team rankings. The coach will hope to replicate that success with his first class in 2023.
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 won’t be any easier. The Fighting Irish open the 2022 season against Ohio State on Sept. 3.