Marcus Freeman shares his mindset entering third year at Notre Dame

Many college football programs often see a bump in production when they hit Year 3 under the same coaching staff, a product of some natural roster-building as younger players recruited early in a coach’s tenure come of age. Notre Dame will certainly be hoping that’s the case in 2024.

Head coach Marcus Freeman has produced a pair of quality campaigns in his first two years, winning nine games in Year 1 and 10 games in Year 2.

Could Year 3 result in a playoff run for Notre Dame, particularly with an expanded field? It’s certainly possible if the team progresses.

“I’m excited with this new group,” Freeman said recently on Always College Football with Greg McElroy. “Every year you start over. Right? In January you start over with this new group, and you’ve got freshmen, you’ve got a couple transfers and you’ve got new coaches and you start building this group to make sure you’re as close to your full potential as you go into Week 1 of the season.”

Notre Dame unlocking its full potential will require at least one of those transfers to produce at a high level. That’s Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who will take over for Sam Hartman.

Leonard has thrown for 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in three seasons. But he’s also a threat with his legs, rushing for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

But he should also be complemented by a Notre Dame group that has a much better idea what it’s supposed to do. And that extends to Freeman himself.

“I think the things you learn from Year 1 and 2 could have a tremendous impact on the way you lead in Year 3. Right?” Freeman said. “And where your focus is, what really needs your attention. And every day it changes, Greg. Every day. Maybe it’s support staff, maybe it’s recruiting, and what part of your program needs your focus is so important to make sure there’s no part of this football program that starts to slip.”

Expectations will be sky high for Notre Dame in South Bend going into the 2024 campaign.

“I’m excited. I’m optimistic, as any coach would be before the season starts,” Freeman said. “But I’m eager, man, to do it with this group.”