Quick Hitters: What Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said about being NFL coaching candidate
ATLANTA — On Saturday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman fielded questions from reporters for about 15 minutes during national championship media day. Here are five quick hitters from his news conference.
On his interest in being an NFL head coach or head coach of the Chicago Bears
“You know how busy we’ve been preparing for this opportunity. Here’s the reality, is that with team success comes individual recognition. To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL. But it’s also a reminder of with team success comes individual success.
“I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been on getting this team prepared for every opportunity we have in front of us. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but that’s the answer you’re going to get.”
On whether they have decided what they are doing on the offensive line and if he is willing to share any of those plans
“Yeah, we’ve been working (sophomore) Charles Jagusah at the left tackle but also playing some guard. We have an idea of what we’re going to do starting on Monday, but it’s something I think we could wait until Monday to just say this is exactly what we’re going to do. But he’s been playing a lot of left tackle and playing some guard, too.”
On what Notre Dame WR Beaux Collins has been able to do in practice this week and his status
“Yeah, he’s progressing exactly the way we thought, in the right way. He practiced yesterday pretty much for the majority of the practice. The first time he’s really done that in the last couple of days. So as long as there are no setbacks, he’s progressing in a way that we think he’ll be ready to go, full go on Monday.”
On the last time he talked to former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel
“I’ve talked to him recently. I didn’t know he was coming to the game. We don’t talk about things like that. We just talk about probably some — I’m able to ask him questions, and he gives me his opinion. That’s probably what’s most important. Somebody that I hold very high, somebody that has experience in games like this, somebody that can give you a perspective from a previous head coach in terms of how you performed last game.
“We talk often. But I know it’s a unique situation for him, being that he is a part of Ohio State but also a part of my life. I wouldn’t put him in a position that he has to choose. But he’s been great for me all season long. I’m excited for him to be here.”
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On what’s different about Ohio State this year and what’s different about Notre Dame
“Yeah, it’s two different teams. You’re talking about two years ago, their team and our team was a lot different than this year — I mean, a lot different than last year’s team, and it’s going to be a lot different than this year’s team.
“I’ve told the team all week, this isn’t about the past, this isn’t about where I went to school, this isn’t about the two previous games, this is about the opportunity right in front of us.
“That’s what you’ve got to understand, where this program is now and who we have, it’s about putting these guys in a position to have success and do what they do well. Same thing with Ohio State. Their team this year and what they’re doing right now is different than the team we played last year and two years ago.
“The focus is on having a plan to have success offensively and defensively versus the opponent we’re playing on Monday and really not focusing on the past.”
