Marcus Freeman details how new OC, QB could change Notre Dame offense in 2024

Notre Dame as a new-look offense going into 2024. Still, Marcus Freeman just wants it to excel in whatever identity it takes on.

Freeman discussed that side of the football for the Fighting Irish during an appearance on ‘First Take’ on ESPN. While there’s plenty of interest in the unit’s new coordinator and pieces, he said he’ll take whatever he can get from them depending on what they’re most efficient with and best at.

“I think, each year, you’ve got to figure out what you what you have to do to have success, right? In the past year, we were having more success running the football, right? I think we have the ability this year to be able to throw it,” said Freeman. “We’ve got a new offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock who came from LSU. I’m excited for the explosive plays that our offense is going to be able to produce.”

Notre Dame’s offense has finished 42nd under Tommy Rees and then seventh under Gerad Parker over Freeman’s two seasons. The two years averaged out to 35.5 points per game. It was fairly balanced too at 226.8 passing yards and 187.4 rushing yards per game.

Now, although with a third offensive coordinator in three years, Freeman has a lot to work with. They bring back four of their top-seven pass catchers and their second through fourth leading rushers, which is a nice foundation even though their offensive line lost some very key names. Still, they brought in six offensive transfers out of their nine total, including QB Riley Leonard and WRs Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell.

They’ll all now slot into Denbrock’s offense that averaged 40 ppg. the last two years in Bato Rouge. Both finished in the Top-25, including ’23’s top scoring average at 45.5 points.

Expectations are high for Leonard and this group in the fall. Even so, Freeman just wants them all to take what is there and make it very easy to run overall.

“You always want your quarterback to make great decisions, right? You don’t want to put too much on his plate. Let’s make great decisions, let’s take care of the football and make the plays that the defense gives to us, right?” Freeman said about his expectations for Leonard. “That’s what you want. Execute, do your job, and the rest will take care of itself.”

“They’ve done a great job this summer of truly developing, getting that timing with Riley, with Steve (Angeli) and trying to build that confidence,” Freeman added about their receivers.

Defense has been just fine for Notre Dame and should be again this season. That’s why Freeman just wants the offense to be at its best in order to put together a complete team that can put up enough to accomplish what they hope to do this year.

“At the end of the day, whatever our identity becomes, whatever we can do to be successful? Let’s do it.”