Marcus Freeman’s Major Snub by Athlon Sports: Here’s How He Was Disrespected
Marcus Freeman has been a rising star in the college football coaching world, especially since taking over as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Despite his notable achievements and the respect he commands among peers and fans, he recently faced a glaring snub by Athlon Sports in their latest coaching rankings. This article explores the nature of that snub, why it was disrespectful, and what it reveals about the current landscape of college football media coverage.
The Rise of Marcus Freeman
Before diving into the controversy, it’s important to understand Freeman’s rapid ascent. After a successful playing career, Marcus transitioned into coaching with impressive speed. His defensive acumen, recruiting skills, and leadership helped him climb the ranks quickly:
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Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator: Freeman’s tenure as DC saw notable improvements in Notre Dame’s defense, earning praise for his tactical prowess.
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Promotion to Head Coach: When Brian Kelly departed, Freeman was the natural choice, thanks to his connection with players and the program’s culture.
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Early Success: Under Freeman, Notre Dame has maintained competitiveness against top programs, balancing youthful energy and disciplined football.
Despite these credentials, Athlon Sports’ rankings seemed to overlook Freeman’s contributions.
What Happened With Athlon Sports?
Athlon Sports, a respected outlet known for its comprehensive college football analysis, recently published a list ranking the top college football head coaches. To many observers, the exclusion or under-ranking of Marcus Freeman felt unjust.
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Where Did Freeman Rank? Athlon placed Freeman significantly lower than other coaches with similar or lesser resumes.
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Lack of Recognition: The write-up accompanying the rankings offered limited praise or acknowledgment of Freeman’s challenges and achievements.
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Context Ignored: Freeman’s rapid rise and early successes were barely factored into the assessment.
For fans and analysts alike, this felt like a clear snub.
Why This Snub Matters
In the world of college football coaching, rankings and media narratives can influence perception, recruiting, and even job security.
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Recruiting Impact: High rankings can enhance a coach’s recruiting pitch. Being overlooked could hurt Freeman’s ability to attract top talent.
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Perception Among Peers: Coaching peers and potential assistants often look to these rankings to gauge reputation.
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Legacy and Career Trajectory: Media recognition often shapes public and institutional opinion, influencing contract negotiations and career longevity.
Ignoring Freeman’s impact does a disservice not just to him but to Notre Dame’s program.
Comparing Freeman to His Peers
When comparing Freeman’s achievements to other coaches ranked higher by Athlon Sports, several questions arise:
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Coaches with less experience or fewer wins were ranked above Freeman.
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Some coaches leading less prominent programs received more glowing write-ups.
This disparity suggests a possible bias or outdated view that underestimates Freeman’s potential and progress.
Reaction From the Notre Dame Community
Players, fans, and alumni expressed disappointment over the snub:
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Players’ Support: Many current Notre Dame players publicly voiced support for Freeman, emphasizing his leadership and dedication.
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Fan Outrage: Social media buzz highlighted frustration with media outlets, calling for fairer coverage.
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Alumni Voices: Former players and commentators spoke about Freeman’s positive influence and the need for recognition.
Possible Reasons Behind the Snub
While the snub feels unjust, several factors may have contributed:
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Youth and Experience: Freeman is a relatively new head coach, and some analysts may prefer to wait for more years of data.
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Program Expectations: Notre Dame is historically a powerhouse, and some critics may expect immediate dominance.
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Media Bias: The landscape is often influenced by media narratives that favor certain conferences or coaches.
Regardless, these factors do not justify the lack of acknowledgment.
What Freeman’s Future Looks Like
Despite the snub, Freeman’s trajectory is on the rise:
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Continued success on the field will silence doubters.
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Building strong recruiting classes will bolster his reputation.
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Media recognition will likely catch up as he proves himself year after year
Marcus Freeman’s snub by Athlon Sports underscores how media rankings can sometimes fail to reflect the full picture of a coach’s impact. For Freeman, this is just one chapter in what promises to be a remarkable coaching career. The Fighting Irish faithful, his players, and many in the college football community stand firmly behind him, confident that his legacy will speak louder than any ranking.
