Marcus Freeman shares why he picked Ohio State over Notre Dame in recruitment

According to On3’s recruiting database, Marcus Freeman had a scholarship offer from Notre Dame out of high school. But the new Notre Dame head coach decided to go to Ohio State — and told Dan Patrick the Fighting Irish were a serious option.

Freeman was named Notre Dame’s new head coach last week and was introduced on Monday. It’s his first head coaching job after working his way up from Ohio State graduate assistant under Jim Tressel to Notre Dame defensive coordinator under Brian Kelly.

He was a two-time second team All-Big Ten nominee as a linebacker at Ohio State and went in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. But, as it turns out, he almost didn’t end up in Columbus.

In fact, he came really close to playing in South Bend.

“It came down to, actually, Ohio State and Notre Dame,” Freeman told Patrick. “I really liked Tyrone Willingham, who was the head coach at that time. Ultimately, I chose Ohio State and I told our AD, ‘I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.'”

Just imagine how different things would be if he chose the Fighting Irish back then.

But you can’t blame Freeman for choosing Ohio State. He grew up in Dayton and Jim Tressel was the coach. How could he pass that up?

“I grew up an Ohio State fan,” Freeman said. “My dad was from Columbus, Ohio, I grew up watching Ohio State and when Jim Tressel offered me a scholarship to Ohio State, I knew in my heart that’s where I wanted to go.”

History has a fun way of working out. Almost 18 years since that decision, Freeman is taking over as the Fighting Irish’s first Black coach since Willingham. It sounds like he’s ready to hit the ground running, too.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame want to right past wrongs in Fiesta Bowl

Freeman’s first game as head coach won’t be easy, though. Notre Dame was selected to the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State — and he’s hoping to change the perception around Notre Dame and bowl games.

The Fighting Irish are 0-6 in BCS/New Year’s Six bowls since 1998, having lost by an average of 23 points. In an appearance on the ESPN College Football Playoff Selection Show, Freeman said we wants to right those wrongs.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am as the head coach of this football program and the football as we go to take on Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl,” Freeman started. “It’s a great opportunity to win 12 games and right some of the wrongs of the past, that we haven’t been so successful in these new Year’s Day bowls. 

“They are a motivated team.  We are a motivated coaching staff.  And we are excited for the opportunity.”

The first team outside of the Playoff, No. 5 Notre Dame will certainly come motivated. Kickoff against Oklahoma State is set for 1 p.m. ET in Glendale, Arizona.