Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman lands top coaching addition

As he is scheduled to compete in Monday night’s national championship game, Notre Dame football is in an enviable position. The Fighting Irish are reclaiming their place as one of college football’s best programs, led by head coach Marcus Freeman. The 39-year-old coach has become one of the most popular in the nation in his third season at the helm of the program.

NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, whose son Kennedy currently plays for Freeman and the Fighting Irish, became one of the latest football figures sing Freeman’s praises.

“He’s the face of college football right now … It’s amazing how far he’s come,” Brian Urlacher said in an appearance on ESPN 1000 in Chicago. His rise to the top was swift. My son looks up to him so much.”

Kennedy Urlacher, a 5-foot-11 freshman, appeared in 13 games for Notre Dame football during his first season as a member of the program. Urlacher recorded 2 total tackles – seven solo and five assists – one tackle for loss and one pass deflection.

Notre Dame football will face Ohio State football in the CFP title game Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Fighting Irish will have their work cut out for them, but they are capable of stopping the red-hot Buckeyes.

Can Marcus Freeman outplay Ryan Day?

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman is 0-2 against Ohio State’s Ryan Day. On Monday night, Freeman will look to take on the No. 1 seed for the first time against Day in the third straight season they have played.

Despite the success against him, Day has a lot of respect for Freeman and what football has at Notre Dame accomplished under his leadership.

“I have tremendous respect for Notre Dame, and certainly for what Marcus did there,” Day said. “I think they’re a tough group, a tough group. They’re a great program, and the last two years have been a struggle against them, and we know it’s going to be the same way every year with a different group of guys in a different situation. This is a different situation. It will be the same way.”

Both Freeman and Day have their teams playing their best ball at the right time. Which coach can outdo the other? That question will be answered on Monday.