Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman has cameras watching him as they caught his reaction to the Ohio State Buckeyes’ CFP national championship celebration after defeating his Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the big game.
A dream 2024 season ended in heartbreak for Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish, who fell 34-23 to the Buckeyes in the national championship game. Notre Dame fought back after trailing 31-7 in the third quarter, but they left it too little too late as Jayden Fielding’s 33-yard field goal sealed the deal in the waning seconds.
But rather than take some time to himself to take in the difficult defeat, Freeman immediately went the motivation route. Multiple reporters caught Freeman watching the Buckeyes’ celebration with the national championship on television outside the locker room:
Outside the Notre Dame locker room, Marcus Freeman watches the trophy presentation pic.twitter.com/ETv8JpkpP8
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) January 21, 2025
JUST MINUTES AGO: #NotreDame Marcus Freeman in deep thought outside Locker room as he watches on tv monitor #OhioState trophy presentation/celebration.
You would have to think this is only motivation for him personally and his team next season! @WISHNews8 #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/AqDb6HUcbQ
— Anthony Calhoun 📺 (@ACwishtv) January 21, 2025
You have to credit Marcus Freeman for working up the inner motivation to do that. Each player and coach has their own way of letting a tough loss sink in, but Freeman is wasting no time turning the page over to 2025.
Marcus Freeman Shows Again Why He’s The Right Man For Notre Dame
Next season will mark 37 years since Notre Dame’s last national championship, when they won it all in 1988. But this was still a big step forward for Freeman the Fighting Irish, who will unquestionably be in the mix for the championship next year.
Through Freeman’s first four seasons, the Fighting Irish are 33-10 with victories in the 2022 Gator Bowl and 2023 Sun Bowl. Even though they fell just short of a national championship, there’s nothing for Freeman and company to be ashamed of.
