“HISTORIC DOUBLE: Marcus Freeman Becomes First Notre Dame Coach to Win Both the Dodd Trophy and National Coach of the Year in Same Season”

Marcus Freeman made history. In a program steeped in tradition and defined by some of the most legendary figures in college football history, Freeman has managed to do what no Notre Dame head coach before him ever has—win both the Dodd Trophy and the National Coach of the Year award in the same season. For a school that has seen the likes of Knute Rockne, Ara Parseghian, Lou Holtz, and Brian Kelly pace its sidelines, Freeman’s feat represents not only a career-defining achievement but also a transformative moment in the modern era of Fighting Irish football.

What Marcus Freeman accomplished is not just rare—it’s unprecedented in South Bend. The Dodd Trophy, awarded annually to the coach whose program represents the ideal balance of academic excellence, athletic achievement, and leadership, is among the highest honors a college football coach can earn. Pair that with being named National Coach of the Year—an accolade based squarely on competitive success and influence on the game—and you have a recognition of holistic excellence. To earn both awards in the same season not only solidifies Freeman’s position as one of the nation’s top coaching minds but also symbolizes a cultural shift in Notre Dame football.

The journey to this historic moment has not been easy or conventional. When Freeman took over the program following Brian Kelly’s departure to LSU, he inherited a proud but emotionally shaken team. He was a first-time head coach, untested at the helm of a program with sky-high expectations and a demanding fanbase. Freeman, a former linebacker with a stoic demeanor and magnetic charisma, took on the challenge with quiet confidence. In just a short period, he has revitalized the program, bringing with him a modern vision built on traditional values—discipline, accountability, academic integrity, and competitiveness.

Freeman’s leadership style has won over players, alumni, and recruits alike. He’s known for his authenticity—a coach who doesn’t sell a dream, but who builds one with his players. His commitment to player development and education has not gone unnoticed. The Dodd Trophy selection committee highlighted Notre Dame’s continued academic prowess under Freeman, with the program posting one of the highest Graduation Success Rates in the nation, while also maintaining a Top 10 national ranking on the field. That dual success speaks volumes about Freeman’s approach to the role of a college football coach in 2025.

This past season was a definitive one for Freeman and the Irish. After early-season challenges and intense scrutiny from national media outlets, Notre Dame finished strong, closing the regular season with a string of statement wins. The team demonstrated grit, maturity, and, most importantly, a belief in its leadership. Freeman’s ability to weather the storm, adjust strategies, and motivate his players speaks to his growth and natural aptitude for coaching at the highest level. While some doubted whether a young coach could guide Notre Dame back to national relevance, Freeman let the results silence those doubts.

His recruiting prowess has also been a key component of Notre Dame’s resurgence. Freeman has consistently secured Top 5 recruiting classes, not just by leveraging the school’s rich tradition, but by presenting a clear, compelling vision for the future. Recruits and their families speak often about Freeman’s genuine nature and his emphasis on developing the complete student-athlete. Unlike programs focused purely on NFL pipelines or NIL dollars, Freeman’s message is about legacy, purpose, and preparation for life beyond football.

Winning the National Coach of the Year award was almost inevitable given the progress the program has made under his watch. But when combined with the Dodd Trophy, it becomes a rare and elite stamp of excellence. It places Freeman in the same conversation as the very best coaches in the country—not just for what he does on Saturdays, but for how he prepares his players for the other six days of the week.

His ability to elevate the program while remaining grounded in his values is particularly impressive given the current landscape of college football. With NIL deals, the transfer portal, and conference realignments constantly reshaping the sport, Freeman has maintained a steady course. He’s adapted where necessary—strategically navigating the portal and embracing the realities of NIL—but he has never compromised the identity of Notre Dame football. That steadfast adherence to principle, combined with flexibility in practice, is what separates good coaches from great ones.

Internally, the impact Freeman has made within the Notre Dame athletic department is impossible to overlook. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick has described him as “a coach for this moment—someone who understands the value of tradition but also has the courage and clarity to lead us into the future.” Freeman’s ability to unify stakeholders—from boosters and alumni to current students and faculty—has helped fortify Notre Dame’s identity during an era when many programs are losing theirs.

The locker room culture under Freeman is one of mutual respect and unbreakable trust. Players speak of a coach who listens, challenges, and believes in them, regardless of star rating or position on the depth chart. That inclusive, merit-based approach has built cohesion across the roster. No one believes they’re being left behind, and everyone knows what’s expected of them. It’s not just about being elite athletes—it’s about being elite teammates, students, and representatives of the university.

Freeman’s historic dual win is more than a personal milestone—it’s a signal to the broader college football world that Notre Dame is back, and this time with a model that could sustain long-term excellence. He represents the new archetype of a college football coach: smart, adaptable, ethically grounded, and relentlessly competitive. In a profession where the win-at-all-costs mentality often dominates, Freeman’s success shows there’s still room for balance, honor, and tradition.

His recognition has also elevated the profile of the program off the field. Notre Dame’s admissions office has seen a surge in applications. Donors are more engaged than ever, and national media coverage has shifted from skeptical to celebratory. The Freeman Effect, as it’s now known in South Bend, is very real—and it’s spreading.

Looking forward, the expectations for Marcus Freeman will only grow, and so will the pressure. But if this season is any indication, he is more than ready for it. The dual awards are validation not just of what he’s already done, but of what lies ahead. The message to recruits, players, and fans is simple: Notre Dame has its leader, and the future has never looked brighter.

For now, though, Freeman deserves his moment. To be the first Notre Dame coach to ever win both the Dodd Trophy and National Coach of the Year in the same season is no small feat. It’s a testament to his vision, his discipline, his adaptability, and his unwavering belief in what Notre Dame football can and should be.

This is a new chapter in the storied history of the Fighting Irish, and Marcus Freeman is the author. His name is now etched in the record books, not just for what he’s accomplished, but for how he’s done it—with class, character, and unshakable conviction. Notre Dame’s present is thriving, and its future is in the best of hands.