Notre Dame is entering a championship-contending phase under Marcus Freeman, showing strong recruiting, development, and rising on-field performance.
When Marcus Freeman was named head coach of the University of Notre Dame football program in December 2021, the decision sparked excitement, curiosity, and for many, cautious optimism. Taking over for the long-tenured and successful Brian Kelly, Freeman—then just 35 years old and with only one year of coordinator experience at Notre Dame—was seen as a bold choice. But bold choices sometimes yield the most rewarding outcomes.
Now, entering the 2025 season, it’s clear that Freeman wasn’t just a feel-good hire—he was the right hire. With elite recruiting, player development, and on-field competitiveness converging, Notre Dame is no longer just a respected football power—it’s a team firmly entrenched in the national championship conversation.
A Culture Shift Rooted in Authenticity
From day one, Marcus Freeman made it clear that authenticity would define his tenure. He emphasized player relationships, academic commitment, and a culture of accountability. He wasn’t trying to be Brian Kelly 2.0—he was creating his own path.
That path started with trust. Freeman quickly earned the respect of players, staff, and fans by showing that he was more than a great recruiter or former defensive coordinator—he was a true leader. “You win with people,” Freeman has said repeatedly, and at Notre Dame, he’s built a locker room where belief is the foundation.
This cultural alignment has translated into tangible improvements. Players have bought into the system, both on and off the field. Graduations are up. Transfers out are down. And development is at an all-time high.
Elite Recruiting Sets the Foundation
To compete for national championships, recruiting has to be elite. Freeman didn’t just recognize this—he attacked it.
Notre Dame’s recruiting classes under Freeman have ranked among the best in the country. In 2023, Notre Dame landed a top-10 class, and in 2024, the Irish took it a step further by securing what many analysts called one of the deepest classes in the school’s modern era.
That 2024 class included five-star talents on both sides of the ball, including a game-changing edge rusher, a top-10 quarterback prospect, and two blue-chip offensive linemen who chose Notre Dame over SEC powerhouses. But what’s even more important than the stars is the fit. Freeman and his staff have consistently recruited players who not only excel on the field but also embrace Notre Dame’s rigorous academic and cultural expectations.
Perhaps just as vital is Freeman’s modernization of the recruiting approach. He’s embraced social media, NIL, and the transfer portal—not blindly, but strategically. Rather than lose players to the portal, Notre Dame is now attracting plug-and-play transfers who elevate the roster instantly, like quarterback Riley Leonard from Duke and multiple SEC defensive backs.
Notre Dame, often viewed as a “traditional” program, now operates like a modern recruiting powerhouse. That’s no accident. That’s Freeman.
Player Development: Stars are Made in South Bend
Recruiting gets you in the door. Development gets you to the championship.
Under Freeman, the Irish have made dramatic strides in turning raw potential into polished products. The coaching staff, many of whom Freeman hired or retained with care, has been pivotal to this transformation.
Strength and conditioning have seen a noticeable upgrade, thanks in part to a revamped offseason regimen emphasizing speed, flexibility, and explosiveness. Skill development is front and center during spring and fall camps, with coaches employing NFL-style training, analytics, and situational practice.
Look no further than Notre Dame’s recent draft success. Players like linebacker Jaylen Sneed, safety Xavier Watts, and offensive lineman Joe Alt not only improved during their time under Freeman—they became pro-ready, high-round NFL Draft picks.
It’s not just the future pros who benefit. Depth players—often overlooked—have become key contributors thanks to smart coaching and structured development pathways. This depth showed during the 2024 season when injuries piled up midseason but the team didn’t miss a beat.
Freeman understands that stars win games, but depth wins championships. Notre Dame is building both.
Tactical Evolution and Game-Day Growth
Early in his tenure, Freeman faced criticism for in-game decisions. There were close losses where clock management, red-zone execution, or defensive lapses cost Notre Dame wins against elite opponents.
But rather than stubbornly ignore those issues, Freeman adapted—and quickly.
He improved his coaching staff, bringing in experienced offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and defensive mastermind Al Golden. He also made game-day decision-making more collaborative, bringing in analysts and leaning on data-driven situational planning.
The results? In 2024, Notre Dame knocked off multiple top-15 opponents, including a dramatic win over USC and a decisive bowl game victory over Penn State. The Irish offense became more explosive, scoring over 35 points per game, while the defense ranked top 10 nationally in points allowed and turnovers forced.
Freeman has gone from a rookie coach figuring it out on the fly to a confident leader orchestrating one of the most balanced and dangerous teams in college football.
A Breakthrough Season
Everything came together in 2024.
Notre Dame finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, the lone loss a tight one to then-undefeated Georgia. The Irish secured a College Football Playoff berth—their first under Freeman—and edged out Penn State in a semifinal thriller.
While the championship game against Michigan didn’t end with a trophy, it proved something more important: Notre Dame belongs.
The Irish played physical, smart, and fearless football. They weren’t just happy to be there—they expected to win. And they almost did.
The media took notice. NFL scouts took notice. Recruits took notice. Most importantly, the players took notice of their own potential.
The Freeman Effect
There’s a reason players love playing for Marcus Freeman. He’s honest. He’s driven. He’s relatable. He listens. But he also demands the best—every day, every rep, every game.
Freeman has made Notre Dame one of the most attractive destinations for top high school players and transfer talent. But more than that, he’s made it a place where winning matters as much as doing things the right way.
The Freeman effect isn’t just about hype—it’s about results.
What’s Next for the Irish?
As the 2025 season approaches, expectations are sky-high. And for the first time in a long time, those expectations feel realistic.
Notre Dame returns a veteran roster with All-American potential on both sides of the ball. The quarterback room is deep and talented. The offensive line is once again massive, experienced, and cohesive. The defense, anchored by a versatile front seven and elite secondary, is loaded with NFL talent.
But perhaps the most important returning piece is the man at the helm.
Marcus Freeman isn’t a new coach anymore. He’s a proven one. He’s weathered adversity, learned from mistakes, and built a team that reflects his vision: tough, disciplined, and championship-worthy.
In a landscape of rapid change—realignment, NIL, transfer chaos—Notre Dame’s stability and rising power under Freeman may be the perfect formula for long-term success.
Notre Dame football has always been synonymous with tradition, excellence, and legacy. But in the Freeman era, the Irish are writing a new chapter—one that marries old-school values with modern football dominance.
With top-tier recruiting, elite player development, evolving game-day strategy, and a belief that the national title is not a dream but an expectation, Notre Dame has firmly entered its winning window under Marcus Freeman. And if the past few seasons are any indication, that window may stay open for a long, long time.
