The Orange Bowl is set to feature a high-stakes showdown between the Penn State Nittany Lions, led by coach James Franklin, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, led by coach Marcus Freeman. Both teams will battle for a coveted spot in the national championship game on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Let’s take a closer look at the two head coaches and their career accomplishments as they prepare for this crucial College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal matchup.
James Franklin’s Playoff and Bowl Record
This marks Franklin’s first appearance in the College Football Playoff, where he currently boasts a 2-0 record. Under his guidance, Penn State secured a dominant 38-10 victory over SMU in the first round and followed it up with a convincing 31-14 win against Boise State in the quarterfinals. Franklin now aims to secure his third CFP victory.
In terms of overall bowl games, Franklin has an 8-6 record as a head coach. However, during his tenure at Penn State, his bowl record stands at 6-7, including his recent CFP wins.
Marcus Freeman’s Playoff and Bowl Record
Freeman, on the other hand, has achieved a 4-1 record in bowl games and is undefeated in the CFP with a 2-0 record. This season, Notre Dame secured a 27-17 win over Indiana in the first round of the CFP and a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the quarterfinals. These games are Freeman’s only CFP coaching experiences so far.
Notable Coaching Matchups
James Franklin has faced significant challenges in previous bowl games. Notably, in the 2016 Rose Bowl, Franklin brought a conference champion Penn State team to face the USC Trojans. Despite an impressive offensive performance led by quarterback Trace McSorley, running back Saquon Barkley, and wide receiver Chris Godwin, Penn State fell short in a high-scoring 52-49 loss. A major factor in the defeat was the defense allowing 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter against USC quarterback Sam Darnold.
Marcus Freeman’s first bowl game as Notre Dame’s head coach was the 2021 Fiesta Bowl, following his promotion after Brian Kelly’s departure. The Fighting Irish got off to a strong start, scoring 28 of their 35 points in the first half. Despite quarterback Jack Coan’s stellar performance with 509 passing yards and five touchdowns, Notre Dame ultimately lost 37-35 due to the defense’s inability to secure a critical stop late in the game.
Head-to-Head History
This Orange Bowl marks the first official meeting between Franklin and Freeman as head coaches. However, the two have previously faced each other in different roles. In 2016, Franklin coached Penn State while Freeman served as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Purdue. In that regular-season matchup, Franklin’s Nittany Lions secured a commanding 62-24 victory on the road.
As these two experienced coaches prepare to lead their teams in a crucial semifinal, both will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and secure a spot in the national championship game.