Skip to main content

Finding optimism for the future in Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame coaching tree

Eric Hansenby: Eric Hansen8 hours agoEHansenND
Marcus Freeman, Mike Mickens, Marty Biagi
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman (left) heads to a 2024 Irish spring football practice with assistants Mike Mickens (center) and Marty Biagi. Jeff Douglas/Inside ND Sports

Assistant coach turnover is often framed as instability, but at Notre Dame under Marcus Freeman, it’s becoming evidence of something else entirely. With a growing coaching tree that now stretches deep into the NFL and the college head-coaching ranks, Freeman’s ability to identify, develop and replace elite assistants is emerging as one of the program’s quiet strengths — and a reason for optimism about what comes next.

Join for $1
then billed annually
Blue and Gold
+
+
One subscription: The best Notre Dame Fighting Irish coverage and community, and all access to the On3 College Sports Network.