Marcus Freeman Leads Notre Dame to Championship

Marcus Freeman made history as the first Black and first Asian American head coach to lead a team to the College Football Playoff National Championship after Notre Dame's 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl. Freeman emphasized that his achievement is a collective effort and hopes it opens doors for coaches of all backgrounds. The Fighting Irish, under Freeman's leadership since 2021, have a solid record of 34 wins and only nine losses, marking their first championship appearance since 2012. The upcoming championship game will see Notre Dame face the victor of Ohio State vs. Texas, ensuring a Black head coach will be at the helm regardless of the outcome. Freeman's journey reflects both personal heritage and the significance of representation in coaching roles, drawing parallels to historic moments in sports.