ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes 34-23 in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

After the Notre Dame football team lost to Ohio State in the national title game, Marcus Freeman spoke on the future of the program.

While Marcus Freeman is leading Notre Dame football to victory, he considers his wife, Joanna Freeman, the MVP behind the scenes. The head coach, who guided the Fighting Irish to their 2025 Orange Bowl win, met Joanna during his days as a linebacker at Ohio State University before the pair married in February 2010.

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman won a major award after leading the Fighting Irish to the National Championship game

Notre Dame football head continues to be aggressive on fourth down. The College Football Playoff National Championship Game didn't change that.

And in my 24 years on the Notre Dame football beat, no Irish team created more for the fan base than this one. Covering a run through the Playoff was to know you were documenting a team Notre Dame fans will be talking about for decades.

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame ended the season without the ultimate prize in their possession, but the Fighting Irish head coach has been recognized for the job he has done in South Bend

Marcus Freeman helped turn around the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after a disappointing loss to Northern Illinois and earned himself a prestigious honor as a result.