You have to giggle every time a collegiate coaching position becomes available and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman is named as a prospective contender.
I used to think that Kentucky’s Mark Stoops had the best job in America. He’s paid $9 million every year to finish 4-8. That’s fantastic job if you can get it.
Now, however, I believe Freeman outperforms even Stoops for the top position in the country. Think about it this way: All that lies between Freeman and another College Football Playoff bid is a November slate that includes Boston College, Navy, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Stanford.
Oh, my!
Where else could Freeman coach and have such an easy November path to the playoffs? Certainly not at Florida, one of the institutions now hiring.
Freeman can seek a national title exactly where he is — as he demonstrated last season — without having to deal with a Florida schedule that includes games against Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee this November, all of which are playoff possibilities.
Brian Kelly attempted to trade Notre Dame’s independence for the SEC’s requirements. How is that decision working out for him? Not excellent!
Notre Dame’s independence an advantage in playoff pursuit
At Notre Dame, Freeman has the advantage of coaching a club that is valued by the playoff committee, such as an SEC or Big Ten school, without having to play a league schedule. Win-win.
As long as the Irish win and finish 10-2, they can rest and prepare for a CFP game during conference championship weekend, while other contenders face challenging opponents.
Freeman recently appeared on the podcast “Bussin’ with the Boys” on Notre Dame’s commitment to independence.
“If there’s a time that Notre Dame has to join a conference to ensure they can have the same opportunities to make the playoff as everybody else, then I’m sure our administration would do it,” he told reporters. “Currently, the administration and myself and all of us feel confident that if we win the games we’re supposed to win, we take care of the business we’re supposed to take care of, we have just as good of a chance to make the playoffs as anybody else.”
Allow me to translate that: Freeman knows he has it made, as long as the Irish can tolerate some November roadkill. He’s not talking any falsehoods.
As defeats to other playoff candidates accumulate in the battle royale of conference play, the Irish are in excellent condition to complete their turnaround from a 0-2 start.
So, what’s the appeal of a job in Florida for Freeman? I see none.
Florida sacked Billy Napier after failing to beat Miami and Texas A&M. Freeman suffered losses to the Hurricanes and Aggies, but remained in contention for a postseason spot as long as it defeated Southern California.
Notre Dame’s independence gives them a significant edge in this 12-team playoff format. Freeman is no dummy. He sees it.
“We believe we are as well-positioned as anyone right now,” Freeman stated on the program. “However, we cannot put our program at a disadvantage in playoff competition because we are not in a league. If that happens, I am confident we will attend a conference.”
Meanwhile, come on the unfortunate Catholics of Boston College.
For Marcus Freeman, could any job trump Notre Dame?
When Freeman is paired with some NIL funding, the Irish disprove the assumption that they cannot attract the kind of players required to seek a national title. His most recent recruiting class outperforms Kelly’s at LSU, with pledges from three five-star recruits.
Freeman switched to Catholicism in 2022. He is a natural fit for Notre Dame. He looks fantastic in green, blue, and gold. (Okay, he’d look beautiful in any hue.) Unless he has a secret fascination with Cuban food, there’s no obvious reason for Freeman to go to Florida — or even Penn State, the best position available.
This side of the NFL, Ohio State is the only job that makes sense. Freeman’s alma institution has unequaled resources. That seat, however, is taken by Ryan Day’s pursuit of college football’s next great dynasty.
Go ahead and push the tires, Florida, but Notre Dame offers Freeman something the Gators never could: a rivalry week clash with powerhouse Stanford, with a playoff berth at stake.