Marcus Freeman reacts to tying Notre Dame single season all-time wins record

At a program with 11 national championships, it’s hard to have a season that stands out as remarkable. However, that’s exactly what head coach Marcus Freeman was able to do this season at Notre Dame, tying the single-season wins record in program history.

Now sitting at 12-1, the 2024 Notre Dame team is just the fifth team in program history to get to 12 wins in a season. That’s something that Freeman is proud of, even though his focus is still on doing what he can to win a national championship.

“You know, we wouldn’t be in this situation if we didn’t have 12 wins,” Marcus Freeman said. “So, I’m grateful to be a part of a program and a team that has been able to accomplish this. But you know I’m greedy, and my focus is — although I don’t want their focus to be on it, my focus is going to be on finding a way to get 13. That’s what matters. That’s what’s going to be important is to enjoy this thing but get ready for the next opportunity.” 

The first time Notre Dame got to 12 wins was in 1988 under Lou Holtz. Part of why the Irish weren’t able to do that until 1988 likely had to do with the length of the college football schedules and Notre Dame’s history of not playing bowl games, with one exception until 1969. Notre Dame also, of course, doesn’t have the opportunity for a conference championship game.

That 1988 season ended up being the last time the Irish won the national championship. Lou Holtz and Brian Kelly both hit the 12 win mark twice. Now, Marcus Freeman has done it for the first time.

“But you know what, I’m fortunate to be a part of a special, special football program. A special group of people from top down, from our president, to our chairman of the board, to our athletic director, on down to the people in our football program. This is a special place. It’s a special program, and I’m fortunate just to be a part of it. I know I’m the head coach. You’re going to get some praise. You’re going to get some criticism when things are down. But I’m a part of something special with a special group of guys.”

With their last win, Notre Dame advanced to the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. There, head coach Marcus Freeman could make history by winning a 13th game in a single season. However, the greater focus is going to remain on the task at hand, which is winning as many games in the College Football Playoff as possible, regardless of the historic implications.

If Marcus Freeman and the Irish were to win a national championship this season, it would take winning another three games, or getting to 15 wins for the season. The first game in that path is against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.