Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is back on the Dodd Trophy Watch List, landing on the 2026 edition after winning the award in 2024.
The honor recognizes more than wins. The Dodd Trophy goes to the head coach of a team that succeeds on the field while also emphasizing scholarship, leadership and integrity, the three pillars of Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy. Freeman is one of four coaches on this year’s list who have already taken home the trophy, alongside Curt Cignetti, Willie Fritz and Kirk Ferentz.
Freeman enters his fifth season leading the Fighting Irish with a 43-12 career record and a 5-2 mark in postseason play. Notre Dame has posted three straight seasons with at least 10 wins under his watch, including a 26-4 run over the past two seasons. That success drew interest from multiple NFL teams during the offseason.
Freeman ultimately chose to stay, and Notre Dame extended his contract for the second straight year in late December.
"As I think about my future, man, the only way I think about it, I want to retire one day from here, man," Freeman said on the "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast.
His 43 wins are the most by any Notre Dame head coach through his first four seasons.
Notre Dame’s 2025 numbers also help explain Freeman’s place on the watch list. The Irish finished second nationally in scoring offense at 41.8 points per game, fourth in interceptions with 21, fourth in turnover margin at plus-1.08, fifth in net punting at 43.32, eighth in yards per pass completion at 14.11, eighth in sacks allowed per game at 1.00, ninth in blocked punts with two and ninth in passing efficiency defense at 108.80.
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Notre Dame Already Has Momentum With An Elite Young Back
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Gould said he was excited about the chance and spoke highly of running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, a sign the relationship is off to a strong start before the process really gets rolling. He also plans to make an unofficial trip to South Bend in the future, and with Notre Dame already in the conversation, the next step will be seeing how much that early momentum can grow once he gets a closer look in person. [Read more 🡒]