Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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14 FEBRUARY 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY JACK SOBLE A s a former linebackers coach and linebacker himself, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman likes to hang around lineback- ers coach Max Bullough and his group at practice. He runs the scout offense when the Irish backers prepare for the triple option. Graduate student Jack Kiser has played for him for four years, so the two are extremely close. These days, nothing Freeman does re- ally surprises Kiser. Even when it prob- ably should. "He'll get in the drills and put the pads on," Kiser said. "Coach Max will be doing a drill and we need another body, and he'll throw on a chest pad and let us really hit him." "He's just one of us," graduate stu- dent wide receiver Beaux Collins said. "That's pretty much why we're all here." Freeman is known as a players' coach. Some mistake that for lack of author- ity. Kiser remembers what it's like to have Freeman as his position coach, to be "mother-effed" by him but praised by him and loved by him, too. Sometimes, his players get the sense that Freeman would rather drop his ad- ministrative responsibilities and join them on the field. He's gotten better at the former, of course. That's helped Notre Dame elevate from a 10-3 team in Year 2 to a national championship contender in Year 3. It also helped earn him a hefty contract extension, as well as the Dodd Trophy as National Coach of the Year. But at its core, Freeman and the Irish beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl because of who the third-year head coach has been all along. "We would go to war for Free," senior center Pat Coogan said. "Because we know he would do the same for us." TRUST AND BELIEF Freeman tends to know what his play- ers need when they need it. Sometimes, they need belief. Fresh- man left tackle Anthonie Knapp did back in late August, as he entered his first career game in Week 1 at Texas A&M. So did sophomore safety Adon Shuler, in a similar situation after both won training camp competitions at their respective positions. Freeman brought the Irish together at their Monday meeting that week and called both first-time starters out by name. ONE OF US Marcus Freeman, whom players would 'go to war' for, signs long-term contract extension Freeman's ability to con- nect with and build up his players has lifted the Irish to new heights. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER