Marcus Freeman details his approach to coaching players in the NIL, transfer portal era

Marcus Freeman detailed his approach to coaching athletes in this new era of college football, where the transfer portal and NIL can change your team in an instant.

Ahead of leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish into battle against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Freeman joined ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show to detail his approach, and how it’s different from the styles of yesteryear.

“The reality is, I have a strong belief in you can push guys as much as they trust you man, and you have to have a feel for the guys in your room. You’ve got to know the guys that need this type of coaching versus that type of coaching,” the Notre Dame leader explained. “The old adage of coach everybody the same, it’s different. These — each individual is different, and you’ve got to know what it takes to get this person to perform at the highest level. So if you have that trust, and they know that they can be pushed and you can coach them really hard, do it. If it’s a guy that you need to put your arm around like we used to do with AJ [Hawk], then you saw that happen. But I think the reality is, is you have to be authentic. You have to be who you are.

“That’s why I love seeing Deion [Sanders], like he’s authentic. It shows our young people that you don’t have to be somebody you’re not. You don’t have to be this tough, this tough, hard-nosed — and you don’t have to be somebody’s best friend. You have to be authentic to who you are to truly maximize results to young people.”

It’s easy to see why many players look to want to suit up for Marcus Freeman. His approach is unique, but it’s certainly with the times, and why Notre Dame was confident in turning the keys to the program over to him.

He’s been impressive thus far, but he could secure the biggest victory of his career on Saturday, as the Buckeyes come to South Bend for the highly-anticipated showdown.

Marcus Freeman shares how preparing for Ohio State is different in Year 2

Meanwhile, much has changed for Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish since last season’s showdown with Ohio State.

While Freeman was lauded as a hire for the Fighting Irish, the Buckeyes were a tremendously tough test for a first-time head coach, although Notre Dame kept things close in 2022. Now in the midst of his second season, and his second attempt to beat the Buckeyes, Freeman is in much better shape to do so.

Ahead of this weekend’s gigantic showdown, Freeman shared how preparing for Ohio State is different in 2023, and how he’s going to lead Notre Dame into battle.

“I think, there’s a lot of different factors that go into the differences,” started Freeman. “But experience. You have a year under your belt. Not the first game of the year. You’ve been able to develop an identity, as a program, with these first four games. 

“So it’s a lot different than what it was last year, being the first game of that season for me, and the first game of the year.”

Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame humming at the moment, and a victory against Ohio State would be the biggest of his fledgling head coaching career. Many believe the Fighting Irish have a shot, and it’ll be a fascinating showdown to watch.