Title: Can Marcus Freeman Lead Notre Dame to a National Championship in His Third Season?
At the entrance gates of Notre Dame Stadium, statues of five legendary coaches stand tall. Knute Rockne's statue graces the north tunnel, Dan Devine at gate A, Ara Parseghian at gate B, Frank Leahy at gate C, and Lou Holtz at gate D. These icons are cherished by generations of Fighting Irish supporters who value the team's rich history.
Current head coach Marcus Freeman, in his third season, has the chance to join their esteemed company this month. With Notre Dame competing in the College Football Playoff semifinals, they'll face a formidable foe – old rival Penn State – on Thursday night in Miami Gardens, Florida. If the Fighting Irish emerge victorious, they'll square off against Ohio State or Texas in the CFP Championship on January 20 in Atlanta.
A critical juncture in a Notre Dame coach's career, the third season, has often determined their trajectory. Four out of five Fighting Irish coaches with national titles, excluding Rockne, earned their first championship in their third year on the job. Coaches who struggled in this phase include Charlie Weis (3-9), Tyrone Willingham (6-5), Bob Davie (5-7), and Gerry Faust (7-5). Rest assured, Freeman doesn't find himself in these unfavorable ranks. Fans rally behind him as the Fighting Irish continue their impressive winning streak, reaching 12 games following a 23-10 triumph over Georgia in the CFP Quarterfinals last week. Moreover, the administration remains loyal, signaling their endorsement with Freeman's lucrative contract extension last month.
Lou Holtz, a Notre Dame legend, resurrected the program after a five-year tenure under Gerry Faust in 1988. Arriving from Minnesota with limited success, Holtz led Notre Dame to an unlikely national title in his third season – a feat that seemed improbable given their lackluster 8-4 record in his second year.
Holtz's 1988 season began modestly, ranked 13th in the Associated Press poll. Notre Dame secured a win against No. 9 Michigan in the season opener due to walk-on kicker Reggie Ho's last-minute field goal. Following a narrow escape against No. 1 Miami, the Fighting Irish climbed to the top of the rankings, maintaining that position through the end of the season. They sealed their victory against No. 2 USC on the road in the final game of the regular season and No. 3 West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title.
Holtz humorously reflected on his unique position, saying, "I didn't come to Notre Dame to be compared to the great coaches because I'll always come out second best – in looks, intelligence, speaking ability, patience, you name it"[1]. Unquestionably, Holtz remains a beloved figure in Notre Dame history. Despite never securing another national title and departing under unfavorable circumstances in 1996, Holtz accomplished feats mirroring those of legends like Leahy, Parseghian, and Devine.
Now, Freeman stands an excellent chance to join this exclusive club of champions. However, located only a step away from the CFP semifinals is a formidable Penn State team, boasting a 13-2 record. Their only losses occurred against Ohio State and Oregon. Known for their high-scoring prowess, averaging nearly 18 points more than their opponents, Penn State triumphed in their CFP matches against SMU and Boise State.
If the Fighting Irish manage to overcome this challenge, they will undoubtedly face another tough test against either Ohio State or Texas in the CFP Championship. However, following their roaring comeback from a 9-4 and 10-3 start in Freeman's initial two seasons, the Fighting Irish are now ascending. And as they confront these upcoming hurdles, the possibility of Marcus Freeman's statue gracing Notre Dame Stadium becomes increasingly tantalizing.
[1] Telander, Rick. "Winning and Losing at Notre Dame." Sports Illustrated, 1996.
[2] "13 College Football Coaches Who Won the Championship in Their Third Season at Their Coaching Spot." FOX Sports, January 1, 2021.
[3] "Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman: First Coach in Irish History to Reach CFP in Third Season." ESPN, December 27, 2023.
In the world of sports business, the third season for Notre Dame coaches often holds significant implications, often determining their future success. For instance, out of five Fighting Irish coaches who won national titles, four did so in their third year.
With the Fighting Irish's third-year coach Marcus Freeman leading them to the College Football Playoff semifinals, the possibility of his statue joining those of legendary coaches in Notre Dame Stadium is gaining traction.
