Notre Dame appears to be at the dawn of a remarkable period, with the Fighting Irish seemingly ahead of schedule in their development. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the program has already reached a level comparable to the best seasons of his predecessor, Brian Kelly, despite Freeman only being in charge for three years. His trajectory as a coach is clearly on the rise, and Notre Dame’s overall momentum suggests they are well-positioned to sustain their progress. While the sting of losing the National Championship still lingers, the team can take comfort in their impressive 2024 campaign. However, Freeman cannot afford to dwell on past successes—leading a program of this magnitude requires constant forward movement.
The Challenges of Sustained Success
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Success often brings its own set of difficulties, and Freeman’s growing reputation has sparked significant interest from the NFL. While Notre Dame managed to retain him, they were unable to prevent a major shake-up elsewhere in the program. A significant exodus followed, with key figures leaving across multiple levels—the front office, coaching staff, and roster. Every foundational pillar of the program has been affected, and Freeman now faces the challenge of keeping Notre Dame competitive despite these departures. However, the team’s identity remains intact, largely due to the culture Freeman has established.
Marcus Freeman’s Coaching Style and Influence
Freeman is widely regarded as a players’ coach, someone who deeply connects with his athletes. While tactical knowledge is crucial for any head coach at a storied program like Notre Dame, Freeman’s ability to inspire his players has been a defining trait. Quarterback Riley Leonard, for example, has performed beyond expectations, driven by the presence of Freeman on the sideline. Having played the game himself not long ago, Freeman understands the mindset of today’s athletes and knows how to get the best out of them.
His coaching philosophy was highlighted when he received the 2024 George Munger College Coach of the Year award. In an interview with the Maxwell Football Club, Freeman shared insights into his approach, emphasizing the importance of energy and passion. “The passion and energy you have to have…it’s important. It’s contagious. I remember being a player and my coaches who had the most energy, the most connection with you, usually got the most out of you. So I want to be that guy for them. At the end of the day, you have to push players out of their comfort zone, and those are things that I remember the greatest coaches did to me.”
When asked how he was able to gain the trust of his players so quickly, Freeman pointed to effort and meaningful time spent with them. “I think you have to be intentional about it. No.1 is [to] spend time with your players. Trust is earned, I always say that. Love is a choice, but trust is earned. We have to earn the trust of each other. That comes through being intentional about the time we spend together…being a man of character.” This clarity in his coaching philosophy has contributed to his rapid rise and the reputation he has built in a short period. While winning the Munger Award is a major accomplishment, it may be just the first of many accolades Freeman collects if he continues along this path.
A Major Departure: Chad Bowden Joins Rival USC
Despite Freeman’s success, Notre Dame is facing one of its biggest challenges yet. Perhaps the most significant loss during the offseason was that of Chad Bowden, who had served as the team’s general manager and played a pivotal role in recruiting. His work in assembling elite recruiting classes laid the foundation for Freeman’s success. However, Bowden has now joined Notre Dame’s arch-rival, USC, taking on the same role on the West Coast.
This move is far from a secretive, behind-the-scenes deal—USC actively pursued Bowden, enticing him with a massive pay raise. His salary was reportedly quadrupled from $250,000 to $1 million, making the move a financial no-brainer. Beyond money, Los Angeles itself presents a more attractive destination than South Bend for many. However, Bowden will now have to face the reality of being labeled a “traitor” by the Notre Dame faithful.
Notre Dame-centric analysts Mike Singer and Kyle Kelly from the “Notre Dame Football on Blue & Gold” YouTube channel discussed the implications of Bowden’s departure. They highlighted how Bowden’s strategy during his time at Notre Dame was to secure commitments early and build momentum in recruiting classes. His impact is already being felt at USC, where he has assembled the top-ranked 2026 recruiting class. Additionally, he has successfully flipped two key recruits who were previously leaning toward Notre Dame—four-star defensive lineman Simote Katoanga and four-star wide receiver Trent Mosley. Since March, Notre Dame has lost seven of its 19 commits, a development that cannot be considered a coincidence given Bowden’s departure.
Notre Dame’s Resilience and Future Outlook
Losing Bowden undoubtedly represents a setback for Notre Dame, particularly in the competitive world of recruiting. However, as important as front-office moves are, the actual games are still played on the field. As long as Marcus Freeman remains at the helm, the Fighting Irish are expected to remain highly competitive. His leadership, player development, and ability to inspire his team provide Notre Dame with a strong foundation, even in the face of major changes.
While the program will be tested in the coming years, the Fighting Irish have demonstrated time and time again that they can overcome adversity. The 2024 season showcased their potential, and with Freeman leading the way, they will look to build upon their success despite the challenges they currently face.