Marcus Freeman, head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, has been selected for the prestigious 2025 Dodd Trophy watch list after an outstanding 2024 season. Freeman’s incredible achievements in 2024, including leading Notre Dame to a National Championship appearance, have earned him a spot on the 2025 Dodd Trophy watch list. The Dodd Trophy, named after legendary coach Bobby Dodd, honours the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coach who exemplifies the highest standards of excellence on the field, while also embodying the principles of scholarship, leadership, and integrity, qualities Dodd himself upheld throughout his career.

The Dodd Trophy, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, is awarded to the coach whose programme represents the epitome of both athletic achievement and personal conduct. Freeman joins two other former Dodd Trophy winners on this year’s watch list: Dabo Swinney, who won the award in 2011, and Brian Kelly, the 2018 recipient. Freeman’s inclusion on the watch list comes after a monumental 2024 season in which he led Notre Dame to new heights and garnered numerous accolades in the process.

A Historic Season for Freeman and Notre Dame

Freeman enters the 2025 season with significant momentum following a remarkable 2024 campaign. Under his guidance, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish not only made a National Championship appearance but also finished with an impressive 14-2 record. The team’s stellar performance earned them a final ranking of No. 2 in the prestigious Associated Press (AP) poll. Freeman's leadership was pivotal in Notre Dame's success, as he was honoured with several coaching awards during the year.

Among the accolades Freeman received in 2024 are:

• The Dodd Trophy – Recognising his leadership and success both on and off the field.
• The Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award – Celebrating his exceptional performance throughout the season.
• The George Munger College Coach of the Year Award – A further testament to Freeman’s impressive coaching.
• National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches College Coach of the Year Honour – A reflection of his significant contributions to the sport and mentorship.
• The Ted Ginn Sr. Coach of the Year Award from the National Alliance of African American Athletes – A recognition of his commitment to athletes' development.
• Honorary Head Coach for the 2024 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team – Celebrating his role in community service and giving back to others.
  
   

With an overall coaching record of 33-10, Freeman has demonstrated remarkable consistency during his tenure at Notre Dame. His postseason record of 5-2, including three College Football Playoff (CFP) victories in 2024, stands as a testament to his ability to lead teams in high-pressure situations. Freeman has guided the Fighting Irish to a level of excellence that few programs have matched.

Notable Wins and Historic Milestones

In 2024, Freeman led Notre Dame to seven wins over teams ranked in the AP Poll at the time of the game, showcasing the team’s dominance over the course of the season. Notable victories include a win over No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Penn State, and No. 9 Indiana. These victories helped to solidify Freeman’s reputation as one of the most successful and strategic coaches in the country.

One of the most significant achievements of Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame is his victory over Penn State in the CFP. This win marked the 14th ranked victory under Freeman’s leadership, the most of any Notre Dame head coach in their first three years. Remarkably, this figure ties Freeman with Georgia for the most ranked victories by any FBS program over the last three seasons, further emphasising the strength of Freeman’s coaching approach.

Notre Dame's success in 2024 was not limited to the number of wins, but also in the way they competed against top-tier opposition. The Fighting Irish boasted a 7-1 record against AP-ranked teams, the most of any team in 2024. Moreover, no other program faced more AP-ranked teams than Notre Dame, who played a total of eight such matchups throughout the season.

The four victories Notre Dame secured against teams ranked in the final AP Top 25 were the most for the program since 2002. Additionally, the team’s three wins over teams ranked in the final Top 10 marked their best such performance since 1990, further establishing Freeman’s tenure as one of sustained success.

Impressive Defensive and Offensive Performance

Alongside the team’s incredible win-loss record, Notre Dame’s defensive and offensive statistics in 2024 were equally remarkable. The team finished the season with the highest rankings in several key defensive categories:

• 1st in pass efficiency defence (104.4) – A strong indicator of Freeman's focus on defensive strategy and preparation.
• 1st in turnovers gained (33) – Demonstrating Notre Dame’s ability to capitalise on opposition mistakes.
• 1st in defensive touchdowns (6) – Reflecting a high level of playmaking ability from the defence.
• 1st in blocked kicks (6) – An example of the team’s special teams’ dominance.
  2nd in fumbles recovered (14) – Showing that the defence was consistently opportunistic.
• 2nd in blocked punts (3) – Further highlighting the team’s ability to make significant plays.
• 4th in passing yards allowed (169.4 yards per game) – A solid defensive showing against the pass.
• 4th in scoring defence (15.5 points per game) – Demonstrating the strength of Notre Dame’s overall defensive efforts.
• 5th in passes intercepted (19) – Indicative of Freeman’s emphasis on playmaking and disrupting the opposition’s rhythm.
• 5th in turnover margin (1.13) – Reflecting the team’s ability to take control of the ball and reduce mistakes.
• 7th in kickoff return defence (15.61 yards per return) – A disciplined effort on special teams.
• 9th in first downs (326) – Illustrating the team’s success in maintaining possession and keeping the offence on the field.
• 10th in scoring offence (36.1 points per game) – A testament to the offensive consistency under Freeman.
• 11th in total defence (307.4 yards per game) – Highlighting the overall strength of the defence.

With Freeman at the helm, Notre Dame has cemented its place as a national powerhouse, dominating both offensively and defensively in key areas. The 2024 season stands as one of the best in recent program history, with Freeman continuing to lead the Fighting Irish with unparalleled skill, vision, and commitment.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As Freeman enters his fourth season as Notre Dame’s head coach, the expectations are high for the Fighting Irish. The team’s continued success under Freeman’s leadership highlights his ability to not only manage and inspire a team but also to elevate the programme as a whole. With a track record that speaks for itself, Freeman remains a key figure in college football, and his inclusion on the Dodd Trophy watch list further solidifies his standing as one of the sport's premier coaches.