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Marcus Freeman

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For the American football tight end, see Marcus Freeman (tight end).

Marcus Freeman
Marcus Freeman in 2024
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamNotre Dame
ConferenceIndependent
Record30–9
Biographical details
Born (1986-01-10) January 10, 1986 (age 38)
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
2004–2008Ohio State
2009Chicago Bears
2009Buffalo Bills
2009Houston Texans
Position(s)Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2010Ohio State (GA)
2011–2012Kent State (LB)
2013–2015Purdue (LB)
2016Purdue (co-DC/LB)
2017–2020Cincinnati (DC/LB)
2021Notre Dame (DC/LB)
2021–presentNotre Dame
Head coaching record
Overall30–9 (.769)
Bowls2–1 (.667)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
As coach
  • 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year (2020)
As player

Marcus Freeman (born January 10, 1986) is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He previously served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Notre Dame in 2021. Freeman has also previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati, Purdue University, Kent State University, and Ohio State University.

Freeman played college football at Ohio State and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, but never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.

Early years

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Marcus was born at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center in Fairborn, Ohio.[1][2] Freeman's mother, Chong Freeman, is from South Korea,[3] and met his father, Michael Freeman, while serving in the U.S. Air Force and then moved to Ohio in 1976.[4][5] He has an older brother, Michael Jr.[6] The family lived in Huber Heights and Marcus attended Wayne High School.[6]

Freeman was rated as one of the top three overall prospects in Ohio as a senior and named to the Parade All-America team coming out of Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. He was credited with 127 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a senior. He totaled 152 tackles, including 29 behind the line of scrimmage, and eight sacks as a junior. Freeman was a four-year starter and a two-time first-team All-Ohio selection. He also ran track, competing in the 4×100-meter relay and throwing the shot and discus.

Playing career

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College

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Marcus Freeman attended Ohio State University (2004–08), appearing in 51 games (37 starts) over the course of his career. He started 26 games at weak-side linebacker and 11 games at strong-side linebacker and was a two-time Second-team All-Big Ten selection. He finished his career 19th on the school's all-time tackle list with 268 stops (140 solo) and was credited with 21.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, 15 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

In 2008, he started all 13 games at linebacker. He was a Second-team All-Big Ten selection, finishing with 84 tackles (39 solo) and added 9.5 TFLs, 4 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery and 3.5 sacks. Also named Academic All-Big Ten. In 2007, he was a second-year starting linebacker and a part of three special units and was Second-team All-Big Ten after he totaled 109 tackles 9.5 TFL, 5 PBU. In 2006, he made 71 stops, played 13 games and started 11 at linebacker and was second on the team with six pass break-ups and two interceptions. In 2005, he redshirted. In 2004, he finished his rookie season with four tackles, recording one solo stop and three assists, in 13 games.

National Football League

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m) 		239 lb
(108 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.74 s 1.64 s 2.77 s 4.12 s 6.98 s 37 in
(0.94 m)		 9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)		 30 reps
Arm and hand spans from Pro Day, all other values from NFL Combine.[7]

Chicago Bears

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Freeman was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears.[8] He was waived on September 4, 2009.

Buffalo Bills

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Freeman was signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad on September 22. He later was released in early October.

Houston Texans

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Freeman signed with the Houston Texans on November 4.

Retirement

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On May 1, 2010, Freeman retired due to an enlarged heart condition.

Coaching career

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Early career

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After serving as a Graduate Assistant at his alma mater in 2010, he was the linebackers and assistant coach for Kent State in 2011–12.[9][10]

He was hired as the Purdue linebackers coach in January 2013. For the 2016 season, Freeman was promoted to co-defensive coordinator. Freeman helped transform the linebackers group into a strength for the Boilermakers, coaching future NFL players Danny Ezechukwu and Ja'Whaun Bentley.[11]

Cincinnati (assistant)

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On December 13, 2016, Freeman joined the Cincinnati Bearcats football staff as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach.[12] After being one of the first hires by Luke Fickell, Freeman transformed the Bearcats into one of the best defenses of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). In 2018, Freeman's defense led the AAC in rushing defense, scoring defense and total defense and ranked among the Top-15 in the NCAA FBS in all three categories. The next season, the Bearcats finished atop the 2019 AAC ranks in scoring defense for the second-straight season and ranked among the league's top three in rushing and total defense.[13]

Prior to the end of the 2020 season, Freeman had declined a handful of positions to remain at Cincinnati including offers of returning to Ohio State as linebackers coach,[14] linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans,[15] and defensive coordinator at Michigan State,[16] among other offers. Freeman had been considered by a number of national outlets as one of the rising stars of the college coaching ranks.[17]

Freeman was a finalist for the Broyles Award and named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year, during the 2020 season.[18][19]

Notre Dame

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On January 8, 2021, Freeman was hired as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Notre Dame. Freeman was head coach Brian Kelly's top choice for the position.[20][21] Prior to this hiring, it was rumored that Freeman would join LSU in the same role.[22]

Following the 2021 regular season, Brian Kelly left Notre Dame to become the head coach at Louisiana State University.[23] On December 3, 2021, Freeman was selected to replace him, becoming the 32nd head coach in program history.[24] Freeman took control immediately, coaching the Irish in their Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State.

Freeman opened the 2022 season with losses to Ohio State and Marshall, thus becoming first head coach in Notre Dame history to start his career with three losses. [25] He gained his first win the following week against the California Golden Bears. Freeman's Irish would go on to finish the regular season ranked 19th with a record of 8-4, including a win over No. 5 Clemson. They were awarded a berth in the Gator Bowl where they defeated South Carolina 45–38.

Analysts anticipated the 2023 season would be a step forward for Freeman’s Fighting Irish. During the offseason, they secured the top-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, and they entered the season ranked 13th. After beginning the season 4-0 with comfortable wins over Navy, Tennessee State, North Carolina State, and Central Michigan, the Irish rose to 9th in the rankings. They fell at home the next week to Ohio State, 14-17, in a heartbreaking loss that saw Notre Dame with only 10 players on the field, instead of the usual 11, twice on Ohio State’s game winning drive. They rebounded the next week with a thrilling win over No. 17 Duke, but then lost the following game to No. 25 Louisville. One week later, Irish enjoyed a season-defining 48-20 victory over No. 10 USC and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams. Following a bye week, Freeman’s Irish defeated Pittsburgh and fell to unranked Clemson before winning against Wake Forest and Stanford to finish the regular season 9-3. They faced No. 19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl, winning 40-8 to conclude the season 10-3 and ranked 14th. The 2023 campaign was defined by strong performances from star running back Audric Estime, quarterback Sam Hartman, tight end Mitchell Evans, and safety Xavier Watts, but it was also marred by poor play at the wide receiver position, especially following early injuries to veteran receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie. Evans’ injury against Pittsburgh left the Irish without any reliable pass catchers, and the team struggled when unable to run the ball at will.

Following the season, Freeman fired wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, prompting the departure of starting wide receivers Chris Tyree, Tobias Meriweather, and Rico Flores Jr. Freeman hired Mike Brown as the new receivers coach on December 10. He also returned to the transfer portal for a new quarterback, luring Riley Leonard away from Duke.

Freeman’s 2024 Irish squad started their campaign successfully with a road victory in College Station, Texas against the Texas A&M Aggies, 23-13, but followed that victory up with a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois as a 29.5-point betting favorite, becoming the first AP Top 5 team to ever suffer a loss to a football team from the MAC.

Personal life

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In 2010, Freeman married Joanna (née Herncane),[9] who he had dated since college. The couple have six children: Vinny, Siena, Gino, Nicolo, Capri and Rocco.[26][27] In 2022, Freeman became a Catholic.[28]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA Division I FBS independent) (2021–present)
2021 Notre Dame 0–1[n 1] L Fiesta† 9 8
2022 Notre Dame 9–4 W Gator 18 18
2023 Notre Dame 10–3 W Sun 14 14
2024 Notre Dame 11–1
Notre Dame: 30–9
Total: 30–9
  1. ^ Head coach Brian Kelly resigned after the regular season to become the head coach at LSU. Freeman coached the 2022 Fiesta Bowl in Kelly’s place. Notre Dame credits the regular season to Kelly and the Fiesta Bowl to Freeman.

References

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  1. ^ "Picture Perfect". Ohio State Buckeyes. September 2, 2006. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Brice, John. "Marcus Freeman: 'The Gold Standard' Notre Dame assistant driven for success". Footballscoop. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman visits White House". Fighting Irish Wire. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Berardino, Mike. "'That could be my mom:' Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman troubled by violence against Asians". Notre Dame Insider. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  5. ^ "Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman attends state dinner". WSBT. April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Video: Football Camp Spotlight on Marcus Freeman". Ohio State Buckeyes. August 7, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Marcus Freeman, DS #8 OLB, Ohio State". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  8. ^ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Marcus Freeman". Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  10. ^ Doug Lesmerises (December 21, 2010). "Assistant coach Marcus Freeman follows Darrell Hazell to Kent State: Ohio State Buckeyes Insider". www.cleveland.com. Advance Ohio. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  11. ^ "Marcus Freeman". purduesports.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  12. ^ Steven Petrella (December 13, 2016). "Purdue coach, ex-Ohio State LB Marcus Freeman announces he'll join Luke Fickell's Cincinnati staff". www.landof10.com. Cox Media Group. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  13. ^ "Marcus Freeman". gobearcats.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Murphy, Patrick (January 11, 2019). "Report: Marcus Freeman was offered Buckeye linebacker job". 247sports.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Froyd, Crissy (February 4, 2020). "UC Bearcats DC Marcus Freeman reportedly turned down offer from Titans". USA Today. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  16. ^ Whitaker, Michael (February 16, 2020). "CINCINNATI DC MARCUS FREEMAN REJECTS "SIGNIFICANT ATTEMPT" BY MICHIGAN STATE TO HIRE HIM". detroitsportsnation.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  17. ^ Feldman, Bruce (August 25, 2020). "Feldman: 15 college football coordinators to watch this fall". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  18. ^ Khan Jr, Sam (December 28, 2020). "Alabama Crimson Tide OC Steve Sarkisian wins Broyles Award". ESPN. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. ^ Marcello, Brandon (December 29, 2020). "Marcus Freeman is 247Sports' Defensive Coordinator of the Year". 247sports.com. 247Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  20. ^ "Notre Dame hires defensive coordinator, Cincinnati's Marcus Freeman". Inside the Irish | NBC Sports. January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Khan, Sam Jr. (January 8, 2021). "Marcus Freeman to Join Notre Dame as Bob Hinton Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach". und.com. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  22. ^ Vowles, Joshua (January 8, 2021). "LSU likely to sign top Notre Dame DC candidate, Marcus Freeman". One Foot Down. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  23. ^ Dinich, Heather (December 3, 2021). "Notre Dame Fighting Irish elevate defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head football coach". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  24. ^ Jeyarajah, Shehan (December 2, 2021). "Notre Dame hires Marcus Freeman as next coach: Irish listen to players, also retain Tommy Rees to lead offense". CBS Sports.
  25. ^ "Now 0-3, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman must dig himself out of the worst start in program history". September 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "Who is Marcus Freeman's wife, Joanna? Family of the Notre Dame coach". The Focus. December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  27. ^ "Marcus Freeman". Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website. January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time", St. Pius Bulletin, Granger, Indiana: St. Pius X Catholic Church, p. 9, September 11, 2022, archived from the original on September 14, 2022, Fr. Bill recently concelebrated in a Mass where Marcus Freeman was received into the Catholic Church. After preparing with Fr. Nate Wills, C.S.C., chaplain of the Notre Dame football team, Marcus made a profession of faith, was confirmed, and received his First Holy Communion.
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