In just his third season at Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman, the Dick Corbett Head Football Coach, has once again cemented his place among college football’s elite, earning the prestigious George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club. This marks Freeman's second national Coach of the Year honor, a testament to his remarkable leadership and success at the helm of the Fighting Irish.
Freeman joins an exclusive list of Notre Dame coaches to win the Munger Award, following in the footsteps of Tyrone Willingham, who received the honor in 2002. His accolades don’t stop there, however. Freeman, also the recipient of the 2024 Dodd Trophy, is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award—an honor that recognizes coaches who embody grit, integrity, and a winning approach both on and off the field. Only one other Irish coach, the legendary Lou Holtz, claimed the Bear Bryant Award in 1988.
Freeman’s 2024 campaign with Notre Dame has been nothing short of spectacular. Leading the Irish to an impressive 13-1 record, including a first-round playoff victory over Indiana and a statement win in the Sugar Bowl over No. 2 Georgia, Freeman has guided his team to a No. 3 ranking in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls. The Irish, now riding a 12-game winning streak, are set to face No. 6 Penn State in the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, as they continue their march in the College Football Playoff.
Under Freeman’s leadership, the Irish have secured six victories against ranked opponents this season, including triumphs over No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 15 Louisville, No. 24 Navy, No. 18 Army, No. 9 Indiana, and No. 2 Georgia. With the win over Georgia, Freeman notched his 13th ranked victory in just three years, surpassing all previous Notre Dame coaches over the same span and ranking second among FBS programs behind Georgia’s 14 ranked wins.
Freeman’s 2024 Notre Dame squad has excelled in nearly every facet of the game, boasting a defensive unit that ranks first in pass efficiency defense (99.88), turnovers gained (31), and defensive touchdowns (6). The Irish also lead in blocked kicks (6), are second in scoring defense (13.6 points per game), and third in turnover margin (+1.29). Offensively, Notre Dame ranks fourth in scoring offense, averaging 37.7 points per game, and 11th in rushing offense, tallying 217.5 rushing yards per game.
As Freeman continues to rack up accolades and break records, his impact on Notre Dame football has been profound. With national recognition, a 12-game winning streak, and a spot in the College Football Playoff, Freeman has not only elevated the Irish back into the national spotlight but has done so with the leadership, vision, and character that embody the very best of the coaching profession.