Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been named the top coach in college football for 2024, winning the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award. Freeman is the second Irish head coach to receive the honor since its inception in 1976. Brian Kelly won the award in 2018. The Dodd Trophy honors the FBS football coach whose program represents three pillars of success: scholarship, leadership, and integrity.
Marcus Freeman Named Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year
Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to a 12-1 record this season, including a first-round playoff win over Indiana. The 12 wins tie a program record for most wins in a season. Notre Dame also won 12 games in 1988, 2012, and 2018. The Irish face Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, seeking to advance to the semifinals of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
During Freeman’s three years at the helm of the Irish, Notre Dame has beaten 12 ranked opponents, setting an all-time Notre Dame record in a coach’s first three seasons. The Irish own five victories over top-ranked opponents this season. Notre Dame defeated No. Texas A&M; No. 15 Louisville; No. 24 Navy; No. 18 Army; and No. 9 Indiana.
Additional Honors on the Way for Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame?
In addition to the newly announced honor, Freeman is a finalist for the 2024 George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club. That winner will be announced on Jan. 9. Notre Dame’s Tyrone Willingham was the program’s lone previous winner. Willingham won the award in 2002.
Through the regular season and the first round of the playoffs, Notre Dame ranks among the top teams in the nation in multiple statistical categories, including: first in team passing efficiency defense (96.94); first in turnovers gained (29); first in defensive touchdowns (6); third in scoring defense (13.8); third in turnover margin (1.23); and fourth in scoring offense (38.8).
Notre Dame has had to overcome its share of adversity this season. The Irish had six starters suffer season-ending injuries this year. Among them, are a pair of starting offensive linemen and three defensive linemen. Despite facing a slew of injuries and a potentially demoralizing early-season loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2, Freeman has masterfully guided the Irish into the national championship conversation. His ability to adapt, motivate, and develop his players throughout the season is a testament to his coaching acumen. His Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award is a well-deserved recognition for his achievements with the 2024 Fighting Irish.
Behind the leadership and exemplary play of Jeremiyah Love and Riley Leonard on offense and Rylie Mills, Jack Kiser, and Xavier Watts on defense, the Irish are winners of 11 straight games. With any luck of the Irish, Notre Dame will be adding to its newsworthy season in the coming days.
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