Dabo Swinney shares what stands out about Marcus Freeman

Clemson will look to bounce from uncharacteristic back-to-back losses this weekend and could do so in a major way as they host No. 15 Notre Dame on Saturday.

The Tigers are currently in uncharted waters compared to recent history as they’re 4-4 and unranked with four games remaining in the regular season. Notre Dame on the other hand has had a solid year in their second season under head coach Marcus Freeman. And ahead of their showdown, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke about the bright up-and-comer in the head coaching ranks.

“He’s been very successful, I mean you can tell just looking at his career path,” Swinney said. “Everything he’s done he’s been successful at it and he’s got a great reputation. Obviously, I’ve got some pretty good intel on who he is with Chansi [Stuckey] being there and just a really good football coach, and just a great leader.”

Freeman led the Fighting Irish to a 9-4 season last year following a disappointing 2-0 start, highlighted by a win at home over Clemson in his first meeting with Swinney when the Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the country.

Notre Dame’s only losses this season have come from a No. 13 ranked Louisville squad and the Ohio State Buckeyes who are currently ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff Rankings.

Freeman continues to impress with just 23 games under his belt as a collegiate head coach, which may pale in comparison to Swinney’s 208, but there’s no denying that the two have both garnered respect for the work they’ve put in to get where they are today.

“He’s an excellent leader and to lead a program like that, to be hired for a job like that, you know that’s not a decision that they make on a whim,” Swinney explained. “Great defense coordinator prior to coming there and good players as well so he’s done a heck of a job. Really really good job.”

Contrary to the Tigers, the Fighting Irish have been rolling lately, securing back-to-back wins in their last two games where they averaged 53 points per game. Clemson on the other hand will look to generate some offensive momentum after failing to score 30 points in three straight weeks for the first time since the 2021 season that was riddled with struggles on offense.

Clemson is a three-point home underdog to Notre Dame this Saturday as the two teams will square off at noon ET in a game airing on ABC.