Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman makes history with CFP title game berth

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Even before the Orange Bowl was played, everyone knew history would be made in the College Football Playoff title game. Whether Notre Dame or Penn State won in Miami, either Marcus Freeman or James Franklin would become the first black coach to lead his team to that title game.

By virtue of the Irish’s 27-24 victory over the Nittany Lions, that honor goes to Freeman, and he will therefore be in the history books forever. Of course, an Irish championship would mean making history once again, but that will do for now.

Freeman has been winning coach of the year honors left and right, and this performance reflects why. He’s proven he belongs with the best executives in college football, and his latest contract extension means he’ll be doing so in South Bend for the next few years.

Finally, because this video can’t be watched nearly enough, here’s when Freeman was introduced to the team after he was named coach:

Freeman has another task ahead of him and Irish fans will be watching closely to see if he can cross it off the list.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman makes history with CFP title game berth