Marcus Freeman Emphasizes Notre Dame’s Values, Tradition, and Independence in Deep Conversation With Joel Klatt on College Football Future

Marcus Freeman’s deep-rooted belief in Notre Dame’s mission—on and off the field—was fully on display during a recent appearance on The Joel Klatt Show. The Fighting Irish head coach, entering his fourth season at the helm, didn’t just offer soundbites about upcoming matchups or preseason rankings. Instead, he peeled back the curtain on what makes Notre Dame distinct in the evolving landscape of college football, offering a passionate defense of the program’s independence and an even more compelling message about its identity.

The conversation, wide-ranging and candid, touched on the increasing pressures of realignment, the value of tradition in an NIL- and portal-heavy era, and what it means to lead a team that stands apart from the crowd. For Freeman, it’s not about resisting change just for tradition’s sake—it’s about honoring the principles that have defined Notre Dame for generations, even as the sport around it changes in rapid and unpredictable ways.

“I think our independence speaks to who we are,” Freeman told Klatt. “We’re different. And we should embrace that.”

Freeman’s words weren’t said with arrogance—they were grounded in reverence. Notre Dame’s independence in football has always been a source of both pride and curiosity. The school doesn’t belong to a conference. It negotiates its own television deals. And for the most part, it has succeeded in maintaining relevance while everyone else consolidated power through alignment. But as schools jump conferences like stepping stones across a creek, Notre Dame has stood firm, and Freeman made it clear that the program intends to keep doing so—so long as it continues to serve the greater good of the university.

“There are things we could do to maybe make things easier from a logistical standpoint,” he acknowledged. “But easier isn’t always better. This place is about doing things the right way, not the easiest way.”

For Freeman, the benefits of independence aren’t just institutional. They’re deeply personal. He sees how recruits respond to Notre Dame’s unique blend of academic rigor and athletic excellence. He watches how his players carry themselves differently because they know they represent something more than just wins and losses. And he fully embraces the challenge of leading a program that has expectations on multiple fronts—not just on the scoreboard.

“It’s not for everybody,” Freeman said plainly. “But if you want to be pushed—if you want to grow as a person, as a student, and as a player—there’s no better place.”

The interview also dove into Freeman’s development as a coach. Hired at just 35 years old, Freeman was a youthful and somewhat unconventional choice to lead a storied program. Now, with a few seasons under his belt and the bruises that come with growing into the role, he seems more self-assured and determined than ever. He credits Notre Dame’s culture and the people around him for helping him stay centered in what can often be a whirlwind profession.

“What I’ve learned is that leadership is less about being perfect and more about being real,” Freeman said. “The guys in that locker room, they don’t expect me to know everything. They expect me to care, to show up, and to lead.”

That authentic style has endeared him to players and alumni alike. And while Freeman is undeniably a modern coach—one who understands social media, embraces player empowerment, and navigates NIL with a grounded perspective—he is also fiercely protective of what he calls “the Notre Dame standard.”

“We’re not going to lower the bar for anybody,” he told Klatt. “The guys who come here know that. They know they’re going to be challenged. And that’s what makes the success mean more.”

Freeman’s views resonate especially in an era when college football’s core identity feels up for grabs. With the College Football Playoff expanding, conferences realigning, and TV networks driving scheduling decisions, the game is changing faster than ever. Yet Freeman believes Notre Dame’s path doesn’t require wholesale reinvention. Instead, it demands clarity, purpose, and the courage to be different.

“There’s always going to be noise,” Freeman said. “People are always going to question whether independence makes sense. But the truth is, we’ve proven that we can compete with anybody. We’ve proven that our model works.”

Klatt, long an advocate for programs that lean into their uniqueness, seemed to agree, offering admiration for how Notre Dame continues to operate with principle in a space that often seems defined by compromise.

But Freeman isn’t naïve. He knows the pressure is on. He knows that maintaining independence means staying excellent. He knows Notre Dame must continue to earn its seat at the table—both on the field and in the national conversation.

That’s why Freeman is laser-focused on the coming season. He sees opportunity. He sees growth in his quarterback room, versatility in his defense, and hunger in his upperclassmen. He doesn’t promise perfection, but he promises fight.

“If you’re not getting better, you’re getting left behind,” he said. “That’s the truth in football and in life.”

Freeman also took time to reflect on what he wants his legacy to be—not just as a coach, but as a leader of young men.

“I want our guys to leave here better than they came,” he said. “That’s the goal. Not just better players. Better men. Better thinkers. Better teammates.”

It’s a message that resonates beyond the walls of the Gug (Notre Dame’s football facility). It speaks to the enduring mission of the university, which has always been about formation—intellectual, spiritual, and athletic. And it’s a message that might be harder to find in the current climate of college sports, where transactions can sometimes outpace transformation.

For Freeman, Notre Dame’s value proposition isn’t just tradition—it’s transformation. It’s about giving young athletes the tools to become something more than just a statistic or a name on a roster.

“There’s something powerful about being a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said. “When you walk into the Basilica, or you see the Golden Dome lit up at night, or you step onto that field—there’s a weight to it. But it’s a good weight. It reminds you why you’re here.”

It’s that weight—of tradition, of responsibility, of pride—that Freeman believes will continue to anchor Notre Dame through whatever storms lie ahead. Whether the game goes full-blown super-conference, whether the playoff expands to 12 or 16 or more, whether NIL becomes more organized or more chaotic—Freeman believes Notre Dame can thrive.

But only if it stays true to itself.

That’s why he pushes his players so hard. That’s why he recruits with integrity. That’s why he defends the school’s independence so passionately.

“We don’t need to be like everybody else,” he said. “We need to be the best version of us.”

The best version of Notre Dame, as Freeman sees it, is one that stands tall in moments of adversity, one that doesn’t take shortcuts, and one that understands that excellence is a journey—not just a result.

As the interview wound down, Freeman’s message echoed: that Notre Dame’s strength lies in its identity. In a world of shifting alliances and constant change, that identity is its competitive advantage.

And if Marcus Freeman has anything to say about it, that won’t be changing any time soon.