In just four seasons, Marcus Freeman has transformed Notre Dame into a force to be reckoned with. Under his leadership, the Fighting Irish have secured their first major bowl victories in over three decades, toppling giants like Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and Penn State in the Orange Bowl. These wins paved the way to a national title showdown against Ohio State, where Notre Dame fell short but proved they belong in the elite conversation.
Freeman's impact was undeniable as he led Notre Dame on a 10-game winning streak to cap off the 2025 season, with each victory coming by double digits. While they narrowly missed out on the 12-team college football playoffs, most predictive models placed them comfortably among the top three or four teams nationwide. Heading into the spring, the Irish are favorites for the 2026 national championship.
But where does Freeman stand among his coaching peers? According to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, Freeman ranks seventh in the top-25 coaches heading into the spring. Feldman's criteria included previous success at the school, performance against top teams, and national championship victories, requiring at least three years of head coaching experience.
Freeman swapped spots with Oregon's Dan Lanning, now sitting at No. 6.
Feldman noted the similarities between the two: both are former defensive coordinators who took over successful programs and elevated them further, showing adeptness at replacing top assistants. Freeman's track record includes a national title game appearance and a close miss at the playoffs, boasting an overall record of 43-12.
Despite his ranking, Notre Dame stands firmly behind Freeman. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua expressed unwavering support, emphasizing that Freeman is viewed as top-tier in college football. Bevacqua is committed to ensuring Freeman's compensation reflects his value, treating his contract as a dynamic agreement that evolves annually.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will face a challenging 2026 schedule, including matchups against top-25 coaches like No. 5 Mario Cristobal (Miami), No.
17 Kalani Sitake (BYU), and No. 24 Rhett Lashlee (SMU).
Additionally, former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea makes his first appearance in Feldman's rankings at No. 25, while former head coach Brian Kelly has dropped out following his departure from LSU.
Feldman's 2026 Top 25 Coaches:
- Curt Cignetti, Indiana
- Kirby Smart, Georgia
- Ryan Day, Ohio State
- Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
- Mario Cristobal, Miami
- Dan Lanning, Oregon
- Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
- Dabo Swinney, Clemson
- Kyle Whittingham, Michigan
- Mike Elko, Texas A&M
- Matt Campbell, Penn State
- Jeff Brohm, Louisville
- Steve Sarkisian, Texas
- James Franklin, Virginia Tech
- Lane Kiffin, LSU
- Willie Fritz, Houston
- Kalani Sitake, BYU
- Jon Sumrall, Florida
- Lincoln Riley, USC
- Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
- Kenny Dillingham, ASU
- Bret Bielema, Illinois
- Josh Heupel, Tennessee
- Rhett Lashlee, SMU
- Clark Lea, Vanderbilt
Freeman's journey with Notre Dame continues to captivate, as the Irish look poised for another thrilling season under his expert guidance.