Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2022 23 "You get hundreds and hundreds of applicants, everybody wants to be a graduate assistant at Ohio State," Tres- sel said. "But there was no hesitation by anyone that if we could get Marcus Freeman, that would be great for him and great for us." ROOTS TO SUCCESS Before Marcus Freeman ever became a blip on Tressel's recruiting radar at OSU, this gifted multi-sport youth ath- lete — Freeman was a sprinter, shot- putter and discus thrower in high school — needed to first sow some oats under head coach Jay Minton at Wayne High School, a perennial football power in southwest Ohio. And based on the legendary prep coach's first impressions, Freeman — at the time a spindly, 6-foot, eighth- grader — needed much development to ever see the field at this proud program. During an interview with ABC57 Television in South Bend in December, Minton admitted that his first impres- sion of Freeman wasn't very impressive. "He doesn't look like he could ever play for us, right now, ever," Minton re- called. "So he sure shocked everybody." Under Minton, Freeman blossomed into a defensive force and became a high school All-American, the nation's No. 4 rated linebacker and the No. 3 player in the state of Ohio per Rivals. "And that shows you his passion and his commitment," Minton added. "As people get know him, they're go- ing to see the true Marcus Freeman and they're going to love the relationship that he's going to build with them." Freeman was recruited to Notre Dame by former head coach Tyrone Willing- ham, but declined the scholarship offer and decided to stay true to his roots — Freeman's father, Michael, grew up in Columbus — to stay closer to home and play at Ohio State. PAPA KNOWS BEST A retired U.S. Air Force veteran of 26 years, Michael Freeman — a father, an in- spiration and the Freeman family's foun- dation — hopes that the basic life lessons he learned and taught to his two sons after three decades of military service will help equip his youngest boy to suc- cessfully handle the responsibilities as the new sideline sheriff at Notre Dame. "Get up early, be on time, love your country, love your community," Michael said. "Those are things that we talked about at an early age. That's what you did." The elder Freeman swelled with pride as Marcus was introduced on Dec. 6, as the 30th Irish head coach during an elaborate welcoming celebration. Michael — joined by his wife, Chong, his daughter-in-law Joanna, six grand- children and lots of smiles — called the day and ceremony "one of the happiest moments of my life." And his son concurred. Standing behind a podium atop a six- foot stage, the younger Freeman recog- nized and celebrated his unique heritage and upbringing. "So, who is Marcus Freeman?" the new Irish coach rhetorically asked. "Well, I'm the son of a man who was in the Air Force for 26 years. I'm the son of a woman who was born in Korea that came over here in 1976. I can tell you that, because that's who I am." Freeman continued: "I get my disci- pline, my work ethic, my honesty from my father. I get my unselfishness and other-centered focus from my mother, and that's exactly how I will lead this football program. We will be disci- plined. We will work tirelessly." When asked about his son's loyalty, work ethic and sincerity, the elder Free- man explained how respect was the root of his family's values. Marcus has one older brother, Michael Freeman Jr. "Talk to people and treat people in a way that you would like to be treated," Michael Sr. said. "Those are the types of things that we practice in our household when we talk to each other." It's a message that still remains strong and serves his family well. VOTE OF CONFIDENCE Former Notre Dame star and current Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill and his family got to know Freeman well in 2013 when this under- rated three-star player was being re- cruited out of Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. So well, in fact, that Freeman — a Purdue linebackers assistant under head coach Darrell Hazell at the time — helped get Tranquill to verbally commit to the Boilermakers. "I remember feeling really comfort- able during the process, feeling really excited about what I could bring to the table at Purdue," Tranquill recalled of those recruiting interactions. A late scholarship offer from Notre Dame, and a personal desire to fully challenge himself both athletically and academically — Tranquill graduated early with a degree in mechanical engi- neering — led this long-shot recruit to flip his commitment from Purdue, but the memory and respect still remain. "Coach Freeman struck me as char- ismatic, a really smart guy, who under- stood the game of football," Tranquill explained. "Being a former player, I think he is able to connect with us play- ers in a way that some coaches aren't necessarily able to." ✦ "I get my discipline, my work ethic, my honesty from my father. I get my unselfishness and other-centered focus from my mother, and that's exactly how I will lead this football program." FREEMAN Since entering the coaching profession as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in 2010, Freeman has quickly climbed the ranks. PHOTO COURTESY CINCINNATI ATHLETICS