Marcus Freeman recalls emotions of getting Notre Dame job

Marcus Freeman got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in college football last offseason. After the departure of former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, the Fighting Irish athletic department elected to promote Freeman to the head coaching position. An opportunity such as this would come with a slew of emotions attached.

As he prepared for season number two as the Fighting Irish headman, Freeman walked down memory lane with the guys at The Pivot, reminiscing about the emotions of getting the job and giving thanks and credit to the individuals around him that made it possible.

“It’s special, something you can’t really describe at times. And I think as we get older as men, you realize why you are the way you are and why you’re in a position you’re in,” said Freeman. “I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for my wife really supporting me, taking care of the house and the kids. But I wouldn’t be who I am as a person if it wasn’t for the examples of my parents. And I don’t think, sometimes, you realize that as you go through it. I think sometimes you’re in a position; you look back and say, ‘That’s why I’m the way I am.'”

Freeman couldn’t fully express the feelings surrounding getting the head coaching position at Notre Dame without giving proper thanks to those who helped support him in his journey. His wife and parents played a significant role in who he is today and how far he has come in his coaching journey. But there was also one other person Freeman wanted to highlight and give thanks to.

“One of my greatest examples was my college coach Jim Tressel. And a lot of the reasons I am the way I am is because of the example he set. We often think it’s the things we say. Sometimes as men, as leaders, we don’t say the right thing. Man, it’s what you see; it’s what these kids see, is what really, really sticks with them for the rest of their life. And that’s how it was with coach Tress.”

In his first full season as the Fighting Irish head coach, Freeman took Notre Dame to a 9-4 record, ending the season with a 45-38 victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl. Notre Dame had a few hiccups in the season with losses to Marshall and Stanford but also had several impressive wins, including a 35-14 drubbing of the then No. 4 in the nation Clemson, and a 41-24 victory over an impressive Syracuse team the weekend before.