In 2025, head football coach Brian Kelly of LSU anticipated a forceful reaction to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame.

The dynamics of college football coaching are constantly evolving, with elite programs and top coaches finding themselves in high-pressure situations. One of the most captivating storylines in recent years has been the rivalry between Brian Kelly, the head football coach of LSU, and Marcus Freeman, his former assistant coach at Notre Dame. Kelly’s decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU in 2022 sent ripples throughout the college football world, especially as Freeman, who succeeded Kelly as Notre Dame’s head coach, now leads the Fighting Irish. The highly anticipated matchup between LSU and Notre Dame in 2025 is poised to be a defining moment in this ongoing narrative, with both coaches seeking to assert themselves on the national stage.

As the 2025 season approaches, Brian Kelly and LSU have been gearing up for what promises to be a forceful response to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame. The Tigers, under Kelly’s leadership, have shown significant progress since his arrival, with the program continuing to strengthen its position in the SEC and nationally. But the game against Freeman’s Notre Dame, which will carry deep personal and professional stakes, is shaping up to be one of the most intense matchups of the season

The Rise of Brian Kelly at LSU

When Brian Kelly made the decision to leave Notre Dame for LSU in 2022, it was met with mixed reactions. On the one hand, Kelly had been immensely successful at Notre Dame, taking the Fighting Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances and maintaining consistent success in the competitive world of college football. On the other hand, LSU represented a new challenge, a higher level of competition, and a more volatile environment in terms of expectations and pressure.

Despite the high expectations that came with the LSU job, Kelly quickly proved his mettle. In his first season at LSU, the Tigers made a significant leap, finishing with a 10-4 record, which included a victory in the Citrus Bowl. The turnaround from the struggles of the previous regime under Ed Orgeron was impressive. Kelly’s ability to recruit top-tier talent, instill discipline, and implement his offensive and defensive strategies brought a new level of success to Baton Rouge.

By 2025, Kelly’s system at LSU had begun to take full shape. The Tigers were poised to contend for SEC championships and had aspirations of competing for a national title. Kelly’s leadership and ability to cultivate a competitive roster would be put to the test in 2025, but his program was undeniably on the rise.

However, Kelly’s move to LSU came with a significant consequence: the departure from Notre Dame, the school where he had built a storied legacy. The transition from being the long-time head coach of the Fighting Irish to leading an SEC powerhouse in LSU presented both challenges and opportunities. And for Notre Dame fans, the decision to leave was a bitter one, creating an underlying tension in the air between Kelly and his former program.

Marcus Freeman Takes Over at Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman, Kelly’s former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, took the reins as the head coach of the Fighting Irish after Kelly’s departure. Freeman, a former player and coach with a strong defensive pedigree, was a rising star in the coaching ranks. His appointment as Notre Dame’s head coach was seen as a moment of continuity for the program, given his familiarity with the team and his status as a highly regarded recruiter and defensive mind.

Freeman’s arrival at Notre Dame, however, was met with high expectations. The Fighting Irish had consistently been a national contender under Kelly, and Freeman was tasked with continuing that success while also navigating the unique challenges of being the head coach at one of college football’s most prestigious programs. Freeman’s coaching philosophy, centered around a tough, disciplined brand of football, resonated with Notre Dame’s tradition, but it was clear that his tenure would be defined by his ability to elevate the program to new heights.

In Freeman’s early seasons as head coach, Notre Dame faced some growing pains, with the team experiencing occasional setbacks against top-tier competition. However, Freeman’s recruiting efforts began to show promise, as he brought in a talented class of players that would help shape the future of Notre Dame football. By 2025, Freeman had firmly established himself as a head coach capable of guiding the Fighting Irish back into national contention, and the program was on the brink of a breakthrough.

The 2025 LSU vs. Notre Dame Matchup: A Clash of Personalities

The game between LSU and Notre Dame in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, and much of the intrigue surrounds the personal rivalry between Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman. This game represents much more than just a regular-season contest—it’s an opportunity for Kelly to prove that his decision to leave Notre Dame was the right one, while Freeman looks to demonstrate that he is ready to take the Fighting Irish to the next level without the shadow of his former boss looming over him.

For Kelly, this game will be a chance to make a forceful statement. After taking over at LSU, Kelly was widely expected to be successful, but the matchup against his former team could carry extra weight. Kelly is a competitor, and while he has never shied away from tough challenges, facing Freeman’s Notre Dame team will bring an added layer of intensity. Kelly understands the pressure of coaching at a top-tier program, and this game will give him the chance to showcase the strength of his LSU team in front of a national audience. With his reputation on the line, Kelly will look to prove that his success at Notre Dame wasn’t just a product of the program but a testament to his own abilities as a coach.

For Freeman, the 2025 game represents a pivotal moment in his coaching career. While Freeman has shown great promise, defeating his former mentor would be a signature victory that would solidify his place as a rising star in the coaching ranks. Beating Kelly and LSU would be a statement win for Freeman, not only because it would serve as a redemption for his team but also because it would show that Freeman can succeed at Notre Dame without Kelly’s influence. Freeman’s approach to the game will likely be centered around executing his own vision for the program—one that prioritizes physicality, defensive prowess, and discipline. Beating LSU would elevate Freeman’s stature and prove that Notre Dame can thrive under new leadership.

The Role of Recruiting and Talent in the 2025 Matchup

Both LSU and Notre Dame have been strong recruiters over the years, and by 2025, both programs are expected to feature rosters full of elite talent. LSU, in particular, has been known for its ability to land high-profile recruits, especially in Louisiana, which is a hotbed for college football talent. Under Kelly, LSU has developed a reputation for developing that talent and turning it into a highly effective team on both sides of the ball.

Notre Dame, under Freeman, has also been recruiting at a high level, though it faces more challenges in terms of competing with the deep talent pools of schools like LSU and Alabama. Still, Freeman’s ability to attract top recruits—particularly on defense—has helped Notre Dame remain competitive with the nation’s best programs. In 2025, Notre Dame’s roster is expected to feature a mix of experienced veterans and highly touted freshmen who will look to make their mark.

The battle between these two programs will, in many ways, come down to the talent on the field. LSU’s strength lies in its explosive offense and depth on defense, while Notre Dame’s physicality and defensive discipline will test the Tigers in a different way. The matchup is expected to feature numerous future NFL stars, and the outcome may depend on which coaching staff is better able to develop their talent in key moments.

Personal Stakes for Kelly and Freeman

For both Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman, this game holds personal stakes. Kelly’s move to LSU was a bold one, and while his tenure at LSU has been productive, there are still critics who wonder if he made the right decision by leaving Notre Dame. Beating Freeman and Notre Dame would allow Kelly to demonstrate that LSU was the right choice for him and solidify his legacy in Baton Rouge.

For Freeman, the 2025 game is a chance to prove that he is ready to step out of Kelly’s shadow and establish his own legacy at Notre Dame. Freeman’s success at Notre Dame is intrinsically tied to his ability to win big games, and a victory over LSU would be a signature moment in his young coaching career.