Marcus Freeman explains what he learned most from national championship appearance

Following an appearance in the national title game, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has a better idea what it takes to get there. He’ll be out to replicate it in 2025.

In an appearance on the Golic & Golic program on the FanDuel Sports Network last week, Freeman opened on on his approach. Specifically, he dove into what he learned from last season.

“I think you look at that team and you believe, like, ‘Okay, what was the difference between that team and, you know, where we finished, versus some of the previous teams?'” Freeman said. “And I still think it’s three things.”

To have it distilled down to three distinct areas is a pretty impressive feat. Being able to nail all those areas for another year, potentially putting Notre Dame back in the running to earn a College Football Playoff spot and the chance to vie for another crown? That would be impressive.

So what are the three areas Freeman identified? He broke them down.

“It’s talent; how do you get those guys?” he said. “How do you get the best players that fit this place, you know? And how do you develop those guys? How are we developing our players to become better football players, become better men? And then the third thing, is the culture, right? It’s, how do we continue to have a culture that, at the end of day, is selfless, and we put team before me?”

Can Notre Dame get that mix right again? That remains to be seen. It won’t be easy.

For one, the Fighting Irish have to replace starting quarterback Riley Leonard. But Freeman himself is back, as is most of his staff. That’s a good starting place, and they plan to get after it in a big way.

“That’s what we’ll do, right?” Freeman said. “We acquired the talent we acquired. Some out of the transfer portal, some are through high school recruiting and now getting their opportunities, but the consistency in terms of how we’re developing these guys is so important.”