Notre Dame is now just one win away from its first national championship appearance since the 2012 season, and much of the credit belongs to head coach Marcus Freeman. The Fighting Irish’s 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl not only secured their place in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Penn State, but also reignited comparisons to Freeman’s predecessor, Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame for LSU after the 2021 season.
The victory over Georgia marked Notre Dame’s biggest bowl win since the 1991 Sugar Bowl, when Lou Holtz’s Irish defeated the Florida Gators. Freeman’s aggressive game plan, including a bold fourth-down call that caught Georgia off-guard, embodied the mindset he has instilled in his team since taking over. Under his leadership, Notre Dame has reached heights that eluded them during Kelly’s tenure, including their first New Year’s Six bowl victory.
Freeman, now 31-9 as a head coach with a 3-1 bowl record, has shown the ability to win on the biggest stages. This season, his squad also achieved two wins over then-ranked SEC opponents—No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 2 Georgia.
Brian Kelly, meanwhile, left Notre Dame after 12 seasons with a 114-40 record and a 5-5 bowl record, including a loss in the 2012 BCS National Championship game. At LSU, Kelly has compiled a 29-11 record over three seasons and is 3-0 in bowl games, but his Tigers missed the College Football Playoff this year, finishing 9-4 with a Texas Bowl win over Baylor.
Freeman’s rapid success has sparked a wave of reactions, with many pointing out the contrast between the current trajectory of the Irish under Freeman and Kelly’s decision to leave. One fan remarked, “Marcus Freeman has more wins vs. ranked SEC teams this season (2) than Brian Kelly does (1).”
College football analyst Joel Klatt praised Freeman, saying, “Marcus Freeman took a job that Brian Kelly ran from and has elevated it above where he found it… Well done, sir! Great leader with an outstanding culture.”
Clay Travis offered his take, stating, “Notre Dame, the team Brian Kelly left behind because he didn’t believe he could win the big game there, just won a bigger game in the state of Louisiana than he has in three years at LSU.”
With Freeman now preparing the Irish for a semifinal showdown against Penn State in the Orange Bowl, the excitement in South Bend is undeniable. Kelly’s time at Notre Dame brought consistent success and stability, but Freeman has already achieved what Kelly couldn’t: proving that Notre Dame can compete and win on the biggest stages.
As Notre Dame fans look toward the future, Marcus Freeman isn’t just continuing the program’s legacy—he’s raising the bar.