Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman Named To The Dodd Trophy Watch List

The Dodd Trophy was established in 1976 named after Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd. The trophy named after Coach Dodd is awarded to the coach who's program represents the three pillars his program at Georgia Tech was modeled after: scholarship, leadership and integrity. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was just named to the Dodd Trophy Award watch list, and after last season, was a no brainer to be included. 

Freeman is heading into his fifth year in South Bend and his fourth year as the head coach. In 2021, he was brought in to be the defensive coordinator, and after Brian Kelly's departure, Freeman took over for their bowl game against Oklahoma State as their head coach. 

Since then, he's gone 33-10 as their head coaching racking up 12 wins over opponents ranked in the top 25. Last year, he led Notre Dame through the first 12 team College Football Playoffs and found himself sitting at 14-1 and coaching in the National Championship game against Ohio State. The Buckeyes went on to win the national title, but Freeman has put together a roster for the 2025 season that's poised to make another run. 

Freeman leads the Fighting Irish football program with a set of pillars he calls 'The Gold Standard'. First, is challenge everything; which is considered to be a mentality to find a better way. Second is unit strength; this is what Freeman believes turns individual players into a team. Finally, it's competitive spirit, a driving force of this program that is integrated day in and day out to create a winner's mindset. 

Former and current players rave about Freeman's ability to lead this team as well as connect with the individual players given his own background as a top collegiate athlete. He's been extremely open about the opportunities the university provides you on and off the field, which is a core value of the Dodd Trophy. This award also stresses the importance of excelling in the class room as well as giving back to your community, something Freeman holds in very high regard. 

Freeman has brought this football program to new heights, and some are comparing it to what Lou Holtz did for this program back in the 80's and 90's. There is an excitement around this program that I haven't seen in quite some time. Freeman is building something special in South Bend and is creating a winning environment on and off the field. 

There were a few coaches who were also on the Dodd Trophy watch list who Notre Dame will square off with this regular season: 

Mario Cristobal, Miami
Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Mike Elko, Texas A&M

Other notable coaches who made the watchlist include Ryan Day at Ohio State, Kalen DeBoer at Alabama, Jeff Brohm at Louisville, Brian Kelly at LSU, Steve Sarkisian at Texas, Dan Lanning at Oregon and Jeff Monken at Army.