Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman Aug. 26 press conference updates before Miami
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is speaking to the media this afternoon five days before the Fighting Irish battle Miami to open the 2025-26 season. Watch the press conference and/or follow along with live updates of it from Blue & Gold below.
WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman press conference
Live updates: What Freeman is saying
Keep refreshing this page for live updates of what Freeman is saying … Updates are in reverse chronological order
Freeman’s press conference has finished
08/26/2025 12:03:08 PMSee updates from the press conference below and/or watch a replay of the press conference above. Stay tuned to Blue & Gold for more content from the press conference.
Freeman on how Minchey has handled not being named QB1
08/26/2025 12:02:01 PM“There’s a natural disappointment that any competitor is going to have when they’re not named starter, but I knew after a day or so, he was going to use it to make him a better version of Kenny. That’s what I’ve seen. He’s practiced and prepared in a way you expect Kenny Minchey to do, and that’s a sign of maturity. I didn’t expect him to be happy with my decision, but I did expect after a day or so to see the maturity of Kenny Minchey of being able to go back to work.”
Freeman on Leonard Moore’s leadership
08/26/2025 11:57:16 AM“If I would’ve given the option for an option for a guy in their second year to be a captain, I’m not certain Leonard wouldn’t have been a captain.”
Freeman on Kenny Minchey
08/26/2025 11:52:58 AM“His decision making, arm strength, leadership in his own way — he’s gained more trust from the start of spring ball to now more than anyone in our program. He’s good enough to be the starting quarterback at Notre Dame. It was a tough decision — the statistics were very similar. At the end of the day, I had to throw it out the window and make it on other factors.”
Freeman on Miami QB Carson Beck
08/26/2025 11:50:31 AMFreeman on opening on the road each season he’s been at Notre Dame
08/26/2025 11:48:55 AMFreeman on DE Bryce Young
08/26/2025 11:48:08 AM“He’s getting better, and he’s a guy that came in as a freshman and was really freakin’ good.”
Freeman said Young has physically gotten bigger, but he’s also learned how to use that size and become a powerful football player.
Freeman on the right guard battle between Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert
08/26/2025 11:46:47 AM“We have to make a final decision … it could be a situation where you might see them both.”
The battle may not be decided until Wednesday, per Freeman.
Freeman on running back Jadarian Price
08/26/2025 11:43:51 AMFreeman on Jordan Botelho
08/26/2025 11:42:08 AM“He’ll be available this week.”
Notre Dame depth chart, position battle updates
08/26/2025 11:41:18 AMNot necessarily a press conference update, but this is notable.
Freeman on CJ Carr and the QB battle
08/26/2025 11:38:27 AM“There’s direction — no confusion on who is starting game 1. You see that chemistry continuing to build. Our guys on offense are confident in both quarterbacks … It’s great for our whole program going forward.”
Freeman is discussing the Miami Hurricanes
08/26/2025 11:34:33 AMFreeman said Miami is built similarly to Notre Dame: Offensive line/defensive line driven. He said Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. are as good a DE duo as you’ll see.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach Cristobal. They develop like our teams in being O-line and D-line driven. And then you’ve got Carson Beck, who is as experienced and talented as any quarterback you’ll see in the country. Their skill on both sides is explosive.”
Freeman is at the podium
08/26/2025 11:32:54 AMMarcus Freeman says that Notre Dame will need both quarterbacks this season.