For Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman, writing a different ending is the final step

Marcus Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame has been filled with high hopes, but like many great coaches before him, his journey hasn’t been without its struggles. As head coach of a prestigious program like Notre Dame, expectations are always sky-high, and the pressure to deliver results can be overwhelming. However, what if the ending to Freeman’s story at Notre Dame took an unexpected turn—one that didn’t end in the continued pursuit of glory, but instead, one of resignation, reflection, and recalibration?

In this alternate reality, Freeman’s time at Notre Dame doesn’t end with championships or long-term success. Instead, the program faces an ongoing series of challenges—on the field and within the university—that leads to his departure from the Fighting Irish, bringing to light the difficulties that often come with coaching at a program as storied as Notre Dame.

The Early Optimism and Promise

Freeman’s hiring as Notre Dame’s head coach in 2021 was seen as a bold move—an exciting, youthful hire who could bring new energy to the program. His track record as a defensive coordinator was impressive, and the university had hoped he could translate that into a long-lasting, successful head coaching career. Freeman inherited a team that was solid but not yet championship-caliber, and there was genuine optimism surrounding his leadership.

However, in this different ending, things didn’t quite go as smoothly. While Freeman’s passion and motivational skills were undeniable, his inexperience as a head coach came to the forefront in ways that were hard to overcome. Recruiting, which should have been one of Freeman’s strong suits, turned out to be more difficult than anticipated. Notre Dame’s academic requirements and traditional commitment to certain values limited the pool of talent Freeman could bring in. Despite some wins on the recruiting trail, Freeman struggled to land top-tier quarterbacks and skill-position players, leading to a lack of explosive offense that ultimately hurt the team’s prospects.

While his defense remained competitive and frequently formidable, the lack of offensive firepower led to many frustrating losses in tight games. Freeman found himself in a familiar, yet uncomfortable position—constantly coming up just short of the national title chase. The pressure to perform began to mount with each passing season, especially as rivals like Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia grew more dominant.

The Crucial Turning Points: Disappointments and Frustrations

By year three, Freeman’s record remained inconsistent. The Fighting Irish could play with the best teams, but they struggled in key moments. Tight games against top-ranked opponents, like Ohio State and Michigan, ended in heartbreaking defeats, and some of these losses were due to questionable play-calling, late-game mistakes, and a lack of adjustments that gave rivals the edge.

In this version of the story, Freeman’s inability to find consistent quarterback play became a critical issue. Notre Dame was consistently competitive, but they lacked that elite signal-caller who could elevate them to championship contention. Freeman, despite his best efforts, could not fully develop the quarterbacks he inherited or land an elite prospect to replace them. This led to a sense of stagnation. There was a growing sense that Freeman, for all his energy and promise, simply couldn’t get Notre Dame to break through the barrier into the elite ranks of college football.

Alongside the struggles on the field, the university’s administration began to question Freeman’s ability to turn things around. Notre Dame had always prided itself on being one of the top programs in the country, and after a few years without a major bowl win or a playoff appearance, the pressure was starting to show. Alumni, fans, and boosters, all accustomed to the Notre Dame tradition, began growing impatient.

A Pivotal Moment: The Tipping Point

The tipping point came in the 2025 season. Despite another promising start, Notre Dame’s campaign faltered. They dropped key games early in the season, including a stunning loss to a lower-ranked team in the Midwest, and the schedule ahead only grew more brutal. By mid-November, Notre Dame was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, and the spotlight shifted onto Freeman.

Publicly, Freeman remained defiant and optimistic, but privately, the weight of expectations wore heavily on him. His relationship with his staff became strained, as questions arose over the offensive game plan, the development of players, and the lack of progress in recruiting. It became clear that Freeman’s approach, while passionate, was not producing the results the university demanded.

In the aftermath of a fourth consecutive year without a playoff appearance, Notre Dame’s administration made the difficult decision to part ways with Freeman. It wasn’t an easy decision—his leadership and character were never in question, but the lack of progress at a program where winning was expected, not just hoped for, became a central issue. The Notre Dame football program, long a symbol of excellence, simply couldn’t afford to waste any more time without making the changes necessary to return to the top.

Aftermath: Reflections and a New Beginning

Freeman’s departure from Notre Dame was bittersweet. On one hand, he left the program with a great deal of respect from the players who had developed under his guidance. His time at Notre Dame helped many players grow both on and off the field, and the loyalty Freeman inspired among his athletes was a testament to his leadership style. Yet, Freeman knew the brutal nature of the business. College football was a results-driven industry, and Notre Dame, a university with a rich history and massive fanbase, demanded immediate success.

Freeman’s time in South Bend would forever be seen as a “what could have been” narrative. It wasn’t that Freeman lacked the qualities of a successful head coach, but rather that his tenure was marred by bad luck, a few poor decisions, and ultimately, the difficult realization that Notre Dame needed a different direction to compete with the best teams in the nation. The Notre Dame faithful, though disappointed, respected Freeman’s heart and work ethic, but they were also impatient for a return to glory.

Following his departure, Freeman spent some time reflecting on his journey. He sought out new opportunities, eventually landing as a defensive coordinator at another top-tier program, where he could focus on his strengths and eventually work his way back up the coaching ladder. His reputation in the college football world remained strong, and it was widely believed that Freeman would one day return as a head coach—but it would be at a different school, one with fewer expectations and perhaps more room for growth.

For Notre Dame, they would enter a new era, hiring a more experienced coach with a proven track record of success. The administration, though regretful about Freeman’s departure, was committed to restoring the Fighting Irish to their former greatness. The program underwent a restructuring process, focusing heavily on modernization in recruiting, analytics, and developing offensive playbooks that could rival those of their biggest competitors.