Marcus Freeman opened his first week of playoffs as head coach by holding a staff assembly and answering journalists’ questions.
Just a few hours later, Notre Dame made certain Freeman wasn’t going anyplace.
Freeman agreed to a long-term contract extension, making him one of many highest-paid coaches within the nation. Era announced on NBC’s Football Night in America pre-match present on Sunday night. NBC holds the published rights to televise Notre Dame video games.
“I’m grateful for the assist of the Board of Trustees,” Freeman mentioned in an announcement launched by the athletics division. “The funding they proceed to pour into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and employees. This dedication extends far past myself, as they’re dedicated to making sure all elements of our program are aggressive on the pinnacle of soccer college”.
The 38-year-old Freeman went 30-9 in his three seasons in South Bend, Indiana, and led the Fighting Irish to their first playoff look since 2021.
Who will win the College Football Playoff? | FOX College Football
After Notre Dame misplaced its second sport of the season to Northern Illinois, Freeman, realizing {that a} second loss might eradicate the Irish from playoff competition, handled every of the ultimate 10 contests as an elimination sport. The Irish responded by successful all 10 video games, returning to the Associated Press prime 5 and incomes a first-round residence sport because the No. 7 seed.
They will host Indiana (No. 10 seed) Friday evening within the first playoff sport to be held on a university campus. The winner advances to face No. 1 Georgia. 2.
Freeman was a fifth-round draft decide of the Chicago Bears in 2009 and in addition frolicked on the rosters of Buffalo and Houston earlier than saying his retirement in 2010. He then returned to his alma mater, Ohio State, as a graduate assistant .
His teaching stops included Kent State and Purdue, the place he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2016. The following season, Freeman left for Cincinnati, the place he remained till 2020. He was employed as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator in 2021 and he was promoted to teach when Brian Kelly took the job at LSU.
Freeman received 9 video games in his first season as head coach, 10 in his second and 11 this 12 months.
Associated Press reporting.
(Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised publication day by day.)
Get extra from College Football Follow your favorites to get info on video games, information and extra
