Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman introduced as 30th head coach at a press conference

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - The highly-ranked fighting Irish-defense coach, Marcus Freeman, is now the 30th head coach at Notre Dame.

Freeman’s promotion follows former Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly’s shocking news that he would be transitioning to LSU as their new head football coach.

Kelly made headlines this season by passing the legendary Knute Rockne for the most victories in school history. Prior to coaching at Notre Dame, Kelly made stops at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati. Kelly spoke with the Fighting Irish players one last time in early December, giving a farewell speech, before taking off to take his next position as the head coach of LSU football.

Kelly donned the podium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana last week, speaking his first words as the new leader of the Tigers. Kelly said he loves the players at Notre Dame, but that he was ready for a new challenge.

Marcus Freeman joined the Fighting Irish in 2021 after leading Cincinnati to a top 20 defensive unit ranking in 2020. Freeman joined the Bearcats staff after a four-year stint at Purdue. He coached linebackers all four seasons and served as the Boilermakers co-defensive coordinator in 2015. Prior to his time at Purdue, Freeman coached linebackers at Kent State from 2011-12, helping develop all-conference selections Luke Batton and C.J. Malauulu. Freeman started his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, Ohio State, in 2010 and the Buckeyes went 12-1 with a victory in the Sugar Bowl.

Freeman is just the third Notre Dame head coach to have been selected in the NFL Draft, and is the first since Ara Parseghian was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. He is the 23rd Notre Dame head coach to have Division I playing experience and the first since Tyrone Willingham.

Freeman was formally announced as the head coach late last week. A video surfaced from the locker room, giving a heart felt speech to his players about the opportunity and the possibilities for the remainder of their season.

On Monday, Freeman will be introduced to the public at a news conference around 2 p.m. Stay with Fort Wayne’s NBC News where you can find a live stream on our Facebook page, and highlights on our newscasts at 5,6, and 11.

Next, Coach Freeman and the fighting Irish will face off in their upcoming bowl game, the 2021 Fiesta Bowl, against Oklahoma State in Glendale, Arizona.

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