Notre Dame appears to be on the cusp of a special era, having come close to winning it all last season. However, despite the sense that they were ahead of schedule under Marcus Freeman, the program has taken a step back this offseason, casting doubt on their trajectory. While Freeman’s coaching career continues to trend upward, and Notre Dame has the financial resources to remain competitive, recent developments in South Bend suggest things aren’t as stable as they should be.
After the disappointment of falling short in the National Championship game, the Irish have had to contend with a wave of departures at every level of the program. While Notre Dame managed to retain Freeman amid NFL interest, they weren’t as fortunate with other key personnel. A significant exodus has shaken the foundation of the program, forcing Freeman into damage control mode.
One of the biggest blows came with the departure of general manager Chad Bowden, who left to take on the same role at USC. Not only does he now work for a direct rival, but reports indicate that the Trojans quadrupled his salary from $250,000 to $1 million. Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Al Golden, one of Freeman’s most trusted colleagues, has taken the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals. Given Freeman’s defensive background, losing Golden is a major setback.
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The player departures have also been substantial, with six offensive linemen entering the transfer portal, including three key starters. Additionally, quarterback Riley Leonard has moved on after exhausting his eligibility, leaving Freeman to rebuild his offensive core from scratch. With these losses, it’s easy to see why some believe Notre Dame is trending backward.
However, not all hope is lost. Freeman does have some reinforcements on the way, including linemen Charles Jagusah and Ashton Craig, who were expected to contribute last season but were sidelined with injuries. Their return should help mitigate some of the damage. Moreover, Notre Dame’s status as an independent program provides advantages, including a schedule that allows time for new players to gel before the most critical matchups.
Despite the clear challenges ahead, Notre Dame still boasts a high floor, and their ceiling remains as high as any program in the country. Freeman’s ability to navigate this adversity will define the upcoming season and determine whether the Irish can remain in contention or if these setbacks mark the start of a decline.