Why Notre Dame’s Playoff Run Gave Marcus Freeman the Type of Good Problem Every Coach Dreams of Managing Successfully
When Notre Dame advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship, it created the kind of problem head coach Marcus Freeman would gladly welcome—but a problem nonetheless. A problem of abundance. A problem of expectations. A problem of pressure. The kind of problem that only arises when you’ve built a roster capable of competing at the highest level and delivered on a promise that many fans had been waiting years to see fulfilled.
For years, Notre Dame football had been chasing the elusive combination of talent, execution, and postseason legitimacy. Under Brian Kelly, the Irish had knocked on the door of greatness, reaching the national championship game in 2012 and making two College Football Playoff appearances, but falling short of hoisting the ultimate prize. Now, under Freeman, Notre Dame didn’t just knock—they kicked the door in. They made it to the final stage. And in doing so, they reset the bar.
That’s the first challenge for Freeman: sustaining and managing a new level of expectation. Reaching the national championship is no small feat. It validates recruiting pitches, strengthens relationships with donors and alumni, and raises the program’s profile on every major media platform. But it also raises the stakes. Once you get there, anything short of returning feels like a step backward. Fair or not, that’s the new standard Freeman will be held to—not just by fans, but by the players, coaches, and support staff who now believe they’ve seen what this program can truly become.
One of the first “problems” created by a run to the national championship is managing roster dynamics. Success brings attention. Players who may have flown under the radar suddenly become NFL prospects. Younger players who were redshirting or buried on the depth chart start looking for opportunities. The transfer portal looms large. Freeman now faces the difficult task of balancing returning stars with incoming talent while keeping everyone engaged and focused on the long-term goal.
Depth, for example, was a key to Notre Dame’s postseason success. Injuries and fatigue are inevitable in a playoff run, and Freeman’s ability to rotate players, especially on defense, helped preserve legs and prevent drop-offs in performance. But with that depth comes the challenge of playing time. Highly touted recruits don’t sign up to sit for three years. Developing players expect their moment. And in a post-championship environment, everyone believes they’ve earned more. Freeman must now manage egos, balance opportunity, and avoid the kind of locker room friction that can derail even the most talented teams.
Another ripple effect of a championship-level season is the attention it brings to the coaching staff. Freeman’s assistants are now hot commodities. Coordinators and position coaches who played pivotal roles in the team’s rise will be targeted for head coaching positions and promotions elsewhere. Continuity, which is often underrated in successful programs, becomes harder to maintain. Freeman will need to be proactive—whether by promoting from within, making external hires that match the program’s culture, or re-recruiting his own staff to stay the course for another run. It’s a delicate dance, but one Freeman must master quickly to avoid regression.
Recruiting is perhaps the area where this kind of success has the most immediate and positive impact—but it too comes with complications. Notre Dame’s national championship appearance serves as the ultimate proof-of-concept. Recruits can now believe that coming to South Bend means more than tradition and education—it means competing for titles. That message resonates, especially with elite talent who may have been leaning toward SEC or Big Ten programs. Suddenly, the Irish are in a stronger position to win five-star battles, flip commitments, and expand their reach into talent-rich territories.
But greater talent means tougher decisions. You can’t start everyone. You can’t promise immediate playing time. And the pressure to keep recruiting at that elite level never lets up. Freeman and his staff must now balance the art of roster construction with the science of game-planning. They have to evaluate not just who fits the system, but who fits the locker room. Chemistry was a hallmark of this team’s success—losing that could be just as damaging as losing a big-time prospect.
Freeman’s own growth is also a central storyline. He entered his tenure as a young, energetic, and unproven head coach—a defensive coordinator elevated into one of the most high-profile jobs in sports. The playoff run solidified his legitimacy. He now carries the authority of experience, the respect that comes with results. But with that comes scrutiny. Every move he makes will now be viewed through the lens of a coach who has reached the mountaintop. There’s less patience for mistakes. Less forgiveness for losses. Freeman must now evolve from a rising star into a program manager who can handle the weight of expectation year after year.
Game preparation will also change. Teams will circle Notre Dame on the calendar. They’ll study the film more carefully. They’ll craft game plans specifically designed to knock off a playoff team. There are no more surprises. Freeman’s staff will need to stay one step ahead—not just in strategy, but in self-scouting. What made them successful this year may not work again next year. Adaptability will be key. And that means investing in analytics, embracing innovation, and staying ahead of trends both offensively and defensively.
The national spotlight also affects the players in subtle ways. Media appearances, NIL opportunities, social media exposure—all of it increases after a championship run. Freeman must ensure that the players stay grounded, that the hunger remains. Complacency is a real risk. Teams that taste success often struggle to replicate the edge that drove them there in the first place. Freeman’s culture—built on accountability, effort, and family—must now shift from inspiring belief to maintaining discipline. The grind doesn’t get easier; it gets heavier. The target is on their backs now.
From a broader program perspective, Notre Dame’s success under Freeman has already begun to shift narratives. The long-standing belief that Notre Dame couldn’t compete with the speed and physicality of top SEC programs is being challenged. The idea that academic standards are a barrier to recruiting top-tier talent is being debunked. The perception that the Irish are relics of a bygone era is giving way to the reality that they are a force in the modern era of college football. But those narratives are fragile. One down year, and the critics will be back.
The national championship appearance, regardless of the outcome, was also a major moment for Notre Dame fans and alumni. It reignited belief. It energized the base. And it increased the emotional investment of a fanbase that has been waiting for decades to return to the sport’s pinnacle. Freeman now carries the hopes of a passionate, demanding, and vocal community. That’s a privilege—but also a burden. He must navigate the delicate balance between ambition and appreciation, between chasing the next title and cherishing what has already been achieved.
And then there’s the matter of legacy. Freeman is still early in his career, but the trajectory he’s on could put him in the conversation with Notre Dame’s greats—Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, Holtz. That’s not hyperbole—it’s the reality of leading a blue-blood program to the national championship. But sustained success is the difference between a great season and a legendary tenure. Freeman’s next challenge is not just to get back to the mountaintop, but to stay there. That requires long-term vision, internal leadership, and a relentless drive.
Ultimately, the “problem” created by Notre Dame’s playoff run is the kind every coach wants to have. It means you’re building something real. It means your players believe. It means your opponents respect you—and fear you. Marcus Freeman now stands at the intersection of momentum and pressure. What he does next will define not just his coaching legacy, but the next chapter of Notre Dame football history.
The hard part isn’t reaching the top. The hard part is staying there. But if this past season is any indication, Freeman and the Irish aren’t just visitors—they’re building a home among college football’s elite.
