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Newsstand: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman comments on Penn State firing James Franklin

Singer headshotby: Mike Singer10/14/25MikeTSinger
Marcus Freeman | James Franklin
Marcus Freeman (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) | James Franklin (Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

Nine months ago, Marcus Freeman and James Franklin had a joint press conference before Notre Dame and Penn State faced off in the Orange Bowl. Penn State jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but the Irish left Hard Rock Stadium with a 27-24 triumph in an instant classic and a trip to the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Fast forward to Oct. 12, and one of them is competing to get his program back to the College Football Playoff, while the other is out of a job.

After three straight losses, Franklin was fired, and a reporter asked Freeman about the major news out of State College. Below is what Freeman had to say on the topic.

“I have a lot of respect for any coach, but what he’s done for college football has been tremendous. And you never want to see somebody fired. 

“As a head coach, right — I’m a head coach — you’re going to be OK, right? You’re gonna be OK. You feel awful for the people that come and join you that are going to be out of a job too. There’s a lot of people affected, a lot of families affected. 

“Like if [ND athletic director] Pete [Bevacqua] said, ‘Marcus, you’re gone’ tomorrow, it stinks cause I love what I do, and I love coaching these young people, but I’m going to be OK. Like, but you feel awful for the people that have joined your program, and their families that don’t have a job at the end of the year. That’s what’s challenging about that. 

“And it’s a reminder to — listen, don’t ever get too comfortable. I mean, you’re just in the college football semi-finals last year, and had a heck of a team. I don’t know what’s going on with Penn State. I haven’t watched any of their games, and you lose three, and that’s it. 


“So it’s a challenging profession. It’s a reminder to be grateful for the opportunities you have. But again, each administration will make their own — I don’t — Penn State made their own decision and every administration makes decisions based off what they think’s important.”

Penn State heads to Iowa on Saturday night. Nittany Lions associate head coach Terry Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

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Quote of the day

“There’s some similarities. But they’re also different people. Both have a burning desire to win. They both hate losing. Both have a unique ability to make those around them better. Skill-sets might be a little bit different, but their makeup, they have similar traits. That’s why they’re both really successful.”

— Freeman on comparing the competitive nature of CJ Carr and Riley Leonard

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