Marcus Freeman’s Top 5 PFF Ranking Signals a New Era of Belief, Momentum, and Expectations for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
When Marcus Freeman was promoted to head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in December 2021, the move was met with widespread support from players, alumni, and fans. Freeman, who had served as the defensive coordinator for just one season, was young, charismatic, and deeply respected in the locker room. But despite the enthusiasm, there were questions. Could someone so early in his head coaching journey navigate the massive expectations of one of college football’s most storied programs?
Now, with Pro Football Focus (PFF) naming Freeman as one of the top five head coaches in the country entering the 2025 season, the answer appears to be a resounding yes. It’s a powerful endorsement—not just of Freeman’s ability, but of where the Notre Dame program is headed.
This ranking carries significant weight for multiple reasons. First, PFF is known for its data-driven analysis, which evaluates coaching not only on wins and losses but on performance against expectation, player development, scheme effectiveness, and in-game decisions. To be ranked among the top five suggests that Freeman is exceeding expectations in multiple dimensions—especially given the challenges of leading a high-pressure program like Notre Dame.
For Freeman personally, this recognition is a culmination of a meteoric rise. Just a few years ago, he was a position coach at Purdue and Cincinnati. Today, he’s seen as one of the most promising young minds in college football. His rapid ascent is not just a feel-good story—it’s evidence of his intelligence, leadership, and adaptability. Coaching at Notre Dame comes with pressure few others face: no conference title to chase, a nationwide schedule, and constant scrutiny from national media. Yet Freeman has handled all of it with poise, and more importantly, with progress.
In his first full season in 2022, Freeman experienced growing pains, including a surprising loss to Marshall and an early-season stumble against Stanford. But rather than folding under pressure, he recalibrated. The Irish closed that season strong, including a statement win over Clemson that hinted at the program’s potential. The following season, Freeman continued to build, strengthening recruiting, modernizing offensive strategy, and laying a foundation for long-term success.
Freeman’s ranking also sends a strong message to the college football world: Notre Dame is not just relevant—it’s ascending. Under Brian Kelly, the Irish had made three College Football Playoff appearances and re-established national credibility. But there was always the lingering critique that Notre Dame wasn’t “built” to beat the Alabamas and Georgias of the world. Freeman’s approach aims to change that.
Rather than maintaining status quo, Freeman has embraced change where needed. He revamped the strength program. He modernized recruiting with an emphasis on speed and versatility. And he brought in offensive minds capable of matching the explosiveness seen in the SEC and Big Ten. The result? A Notre Dame team that looks not only physically stronger but more dynamic, more aggressive, and more dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Recruiting, in particular, is one of Freeman’s most notable triumphs. In just his first few classes, he’s landed several top-10 recruiting classes, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama for elite talent. He’s won battles in the South, in California, and in the Midwest. He’s also leaned heavily into building relationships—not just with players, but with families, high school coaches, and even the broader Notre Dame community. His authenticity resonates, and it’s turned South Bend into a more appealing destination for today’s top prospects.
This is critical, because for Notre Dame to truly compete for a national championship in the expanded 12-team playoff era, the talent gap with the SEC and Big Ten powers must be narrowed. Freeman has already begun to do that. His classes feature top-tier quarterbacks, speedy receivers, versatile defensive backs, and the kind of interior linemen needed to win trench wars in December and January. PFF’s ranking reflects this trajectory—Freeman isn’t just winning games; he’s changing the DNA of the program.
Another major reason Freeman’s ranking matters is its impact on perception. In college football, perception influences everything—from recruiting to media coverage to playoff positioning. Being seen as an elite head coach helps Notre Dame regain a psychological edge. Recruits want to play for winners, and players want to be developed by coaches who are respected nationally. Freeman now checks both boxes.
For Notre Dame’s administration and athletic department, the ranking serves as validation. When Jack Swarbrick made the decision to promote Freeman after Brian Kelly’s abrupt departure to LSU, it was a gamble. Hiring someone without head coaching experience at a school with national title aspirations is a risk. But that risk is now paying off. Freeman is growing into the role—and with this recognition, the national media and analytical community are acknowledging his emergence.
The ranking also raises expectations, and that’s something Freeman seems ready to embrace. The 2025 season will bring no shortage of challenges. The schedule features matchups against traditional rivals like USC, Michigan, and Stanford, as well as games against top-tier programs like Texas A&M and Florida State. Every week will be a test, and every misstep will be magnified. But Notre Dame, under Freeman, has shown it can win tough games, adjust to adversity, and compete at the highest level.
The expanded playoff format also plays into Freeman’s favor. No longer will one early-season upset derail Notre Dame’s championship hopes. With 12 teams making the postseason, the Irish have a clearer path—provided they take care of business and maintain a strong strength of schedule. Freeman’s disciplined, defense-first identity, coupled with improved quarterback play and offensive innovation, gives Notre Dame the tools to not just make the playoff—but to win games once there.
Let’s also not overlook Freeman’s unique position as a Black head coach leading one of college football’s most traditional and high-profile programs. His success matters beyond the field. It breaks stereotypes, expands opportunity, and represents progress in a sport that still lacks diversity at the highest levels of leadership. For Freeman to be ranked in the top five, while representing a new generation of coaches in age, background, and philosophy, is significant. He’s paving a path not just for Notre Dame’s future, but for the future of the sport itself.
As the Irish enter the 2025 season with playoff aspirations and a loaded roster, the pressure will increase—but so will the confidence. PFF’s ranking is more than a number; it’s a message. Marcus Freeman is no longer a coach with potential—he’s a coach delivering results. Notre Dame is no longer a program trying to keep up—it’s a program building momentum.
And perhaps most importantly, Freeman is building something sustainable. His focus on culture, integrity, discipline, and development ensures that this isn’t just a flash of success. Notre Dame’s ceiling under Freeman is high—not just because of his strategic acumen, but because of his leadership. Players believe in him. Recruits buy into his vision. And now, analysts and fans around the country are starting to see what’s happening in South Bend.
The road ahead won’t be easy. There will be losses, criticism, and more growing pains. But the foundation is solid. Marcus Freeman being ranked as a top-five coach in college football confirms that Notre Dame is heading in the right direction—and fast.
For a school that’s always aimed to compete for national titles, Freeman’s rise isn’t just encouraging—it’s essential. The Irish faithful have waited decades for the next great leader to bring them back to the top of the sport.
Now, with a top-five ranking and a rising program behind him, Marcus Freeman might be that leader.
