Marcus Freeman Is Doing What Brian Kelly Couldn’t at Notre Dame: Building a True Power

The University of Notre Dame football program is one of the most storied and revered in college football history. Under the legendary coaching of Brian Kelly, the Fighting Irish enjoyed years of success, maintaining competitiveness at the national level. However, despite consistently fielding talented teams and contending in major games, Kelly’s tenure was often criticized for falling short of creating a sustained, true powerhouse—one that could consistently dominate opponents and contend for national championships year after year.

Enter Marcus Freeman, the new head coach charged with not just maintaining tradition, but revolutionizing Notre Dame football. Since taking the reins, Freeman has signaled a bold new vision, combining innovative leadership, modern football strategies, and a revitalized culture. In doing so, he appears to be accomplishing what Brian Kelly could not: building a true powerhouse capable of sustained excellence and national dominance.

The Brian Kelly Era: Success Without Powerhouse Consistency

Brian Kelly’s tenure at Notre Dame, spanning from 2010 to 2021, brought many highlights: multiple double-digit win seasons, several major bowl appearances, and a near miss at the College Football Playoff in 2018. Kelly resurrected Notre Dame from some middling years and reestablished it as a national contender.

Yet, a recurring critique was that while Kelly’s teams were strong and competitive, they rarely displayed the dominance expected from a true college football powerhouse. Notre Dame often fell short against elite programs in crucial moments. Playoff appearances were sporadic, and national championship contention elusive.

Kelly’s teams often relied on a conservative offensive scheme and a traditional approach to recruiting and culture. This approach, while solid, sometimes lacked the dynamic innovation needed in today’s fast-evolving college football landscape.

Enter Marcus Freeman: A New Era Begins

Marcus Freeman, initially hired as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator in 2021, quickly impressed the program with his leadership, charisma, and innovative defensive mind. When Brian Kelly departed for LSU in late 2021, Freeman was promoted to head coach, a move met with excitement and cautious optimism.

Freeman’s impact was immediate. Known for his energetic, player-first approach, Freeman fostered a culture of accountability, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Unlike his predecessor’s more traditional approach, Freeman blends the best of Notre Dame’s rich traditions with a fresh, modern vision tailored to the realities of today’s college football.

What Makes Freeman Different? The Foundation of a Powerhouse

1. Innovative Coaching Philosophy

Freeman embraces innovation on both sides of the ball. His defensive schemes incorporate aggressive tactics that disrupt opponents’ rhythms, while offensively, he has advocated for a faster, more versatile attack.

This flexibility allows Notre Dame to adapt to a wide range of opponents, keeping the Fighting Irish unpredictable and dangerous. The offense is evolving from the conservative, pro-style approach favored by Kelly to a more spread, fast-tempo system that maximizes the talents of versatile athletes.

2. Player-Centered Leadership

One of Freeman’s greatest strengths is his ability to connect with players on a personal level. Former teammates and players have praised his mentorship and genuine care. This player-first mentality builds trust, loyalty, and motivation, essential ingredients for sustained success.

Freeman fosters an environment where players feel empowered and responsible for the team’s success. This cultural shift contrasts with the sometimes distant or hierarchical dynamic under Kelly, and it has led to a more united, passionate roster.

3. Recruiting and Talent Development

Freeman’s recruiting approach is more aggressive and nuanced than before. Recognizing the need to compete with top-tier programs nationwide, he’s expanded Notre Dame’s recruiting footprint, aggressively pursuing elite athletes who fit his vision.

Moreover, Freeman emphasizes developing these athletes into multidimensional players, focusing on speed, agility, and football IQ. This player development pipeline promises to keep Notre Dame stocked with talent primed for high-level competition.

4. Embracing Modern College Football Trends

Freeman understands that college football is rapidly changing. The transfer portal, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities, and evolving offensive and defensive schemes require adaptability.

He has been proactive in leveraging these trends—encouraging player mobility when it benefits both athlete and program, capitalizing on NIL opportunities to attract top talent, and continually updating playbooks and strategies to keep pace with the sport’s innovation.

Early Signs of Success

In Freeman’s initial seasons as head coach, Notre Dame has shown signs of transformation from a good program to a great one:

• Improved Defensive Performance: Under Freeman’s guidance, the defense has become more aggressive, faster, and more effective at creating turnovers and disrupting opponents.
• Dynamic Offensive Growth: The offense has begun to embrace tempo and versatility, featuring dual-threat quarterbacks and multi-dimensional skill players.
• Stronger Team Culture: Player interviews and internal reports reveal a rejuvenated, confident locker room with a strong commitment to collective goals.
• Big-Game Competitiveness: Notre Dame has been more competitive against top-ranked opponents, suggesting that Freeman’s changes are helping close previous performance gaps.

Challenges Ahead

Building a true powerhouse is never easy. Freeman faces significant challenges:

• High Expectations: Notre Dame’s fanbase, alumni, and media expect national championships, putting pressure on Freeman to deliver quickly.
• Competitive ACC Environment: The Atlantic Coast Conference, where Notre Dame plays its regular-season games, includes rising powers like Clemson and Florida State. Sustaining dominance in this environment will be difficult.
• Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Freeman must maintain Notre Dame’s proud traditions while continuing to innovate—an ongoing balancing act.
• Player Retention: With the transfer portal widely used, keeping top talent committed to Notre Dame is a continuous challenge.

The Broader Impact: What a Freeman-Led Powerhouse Means for College Football

If Freeman succeeds in building Notre Dame into a consistent national powerhouse, it could reshape the college football landscape in several ways:

• Revitalization of Independent Powerhouses: Notre Dame’s success could inspire other independent or non-Power Five programs to innovate aggressively to compete.
• New Recruiting Battlegrounds: A stronger Notre Dame may shift recruiting dynamics, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast.
• Increased Competition in the ACC: Notre Dame’s rise would raise the overall level of competition within the conference, potentially impacting playoff selections and perceptions.
• Coaching Model Influence: Freeman’s player-centered, innovative approach could serve as a blueprint for other programs seeking to modernize.

What Brian Kelly Couldn’t Achieve, Freeman is Building

Brian Kelly’s legacy at Notre Dame is undeniably impressive, but it is clear that Marcus Freeman is steering the program toward a new horizon—one characterized not just by success, but by sustained dominance and cultural transformation.

Where Kelly’s teams were often good but occasionally fell short on the biggest stages, Freeman’s Notre Dame appears to be evolving into a true powerhouse, blending rich tradition with a forward-thinking, player-first approach that is better suited for modern college football’s demands.

Freeman’s leadership marks a pivotal chapter in Notre Dame’s history, and while the journey is ongoing, the foundation he is building suggests a bright future for the Fighting Irish—one where they no longer just compete at the highest level but define what it means to be a college football powerhouse.