Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman recently popped up on “The Hard Count” with On3’s J.D. PicKell. The conversation wandered through all sorts of territory—CJ Carr’s next steps, the team’s reaction to their College Football Playoff snub, and Freeman’s take on what he’d tweak about the college football world.
He offered a pretty honest look at his approach, how the team preps, and what’s going on across college football. If you want the full rundown, you can check it out here.
Marcus Freeman on CJ Carr’s Evolution
Freeman sounded genuinely excited about quarterback CJ Carr’s development. Carr’s still pretty new, but he’s already impressing with how prepared and locked in he is.
Growing up as a coach’s kid clearly shaped Carr’s mindset. He’s got this relentless itch to get better—almost to the point where you wonder if he ever turns it off.
Leadership and Preparation
CJ Carr’s leadership shows up in the little things, like rallying his teammates for extra practices or film sessions. Freeman pointed out that Carr isn’t just working on himself—he’s lifting the whole group.
That kind of attitude sets a tone, and Freeman’s eager to see how it all plays out during spring ball.
Responding to the College Football Playoff Snub
The playoff snub? Yeah, that stung. But Freeman’s been using it as a motivator, pushing the team to own it and learn from it.
He’s not big on pointing fingers elsewhere. Instead, he wants the team to take responsibility and use the setback as fuel.
Accountability and Motivation
Freeman’s big on the idea that you “sleep in the bed you make.” He keeps hammering home that they’ve got to leave no doubt—on the field or in practice.
That mindset is supposed to keep them from ending up in the same spot again. The snub’s a constant reminder to stay sharp and hungry.
Team Dynamics and Relationships
Freeman also talked about the need for real relationships within the team. He even shared a personal story about his marriage to drive home how much commitment and expectation matter.
Building Trust and Unity
Every new player and coach gets the message: you’re part of the Notre Dame family now, and there’s a certain standard here. Freeman believes buying into that is non-negotiable if they want to succeed.
It’s about building unity and making everyone feel responsible for the bigger picture.
The Importance of the Running Game
Freeman’s always valued the run game, and nothing’s changed there. He gave a nod to guys like Kyren Williams, Audric Estimé, JD Price, and J-Love, but he kept coming back to the offensive line as the real foundation.
Key Players and Depth
He’s pretty confident in the depth they’ve got at running back. Aneyas Williams got a special mention—he hasn’t played as much yet, but he’s making noise in practice.
That kind of effort earns trust, and that’s what matters before anyone gets a shot under the lights.
Rivalries and Future Challenges
Freeman didn’t shy away from the Notre Dame-USC rivalry talk. He’d love to keep that tradition alive, and he knows how much it means to college football.
He’s looking for ways to make sure it keeps happening, even if it takes some work behind the scenes.
Looking Ahead
The NFL rumors? Freeman gets why people ask, but he sees it as a good sign—it means the program’s doing something right.
Still, his focus is on Notre Dame, not chasing headlines. He’s all about the team, not individual glory.
Proposed Changes to College Football
Freeman had some thoughts on what needs fixing in college football. Two things stood out: the calendar and the transfer portal.
Adjusting the Calendar
He’s not convinced the current calendar really helps young athletes. Freeman wants changes that put players’ well-being and growth ahead of what’s easiest for coaches or schools.
Reforming the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal is one of those things Freeman thinks could use some tweaks. He worries about just how often players are switching schools—sometimes it feels like it happens every single year.
Sure, making money is important, but Freeman’s not convinced it should come at the expense of earning a degree. He’d like to see some guidelines that give players a real reason to stick around and actually finish their education.
If you want the full rundown of Marcus Freeman’s interview and what he really thinks about the Notre Dame football program, check out the article here.
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