Marcus Freeman is leading Notre Dame as a proud independent program. Since he took over in 2022, with a $9M price tag, the Irish have posted a 34-9 mark. That includes a strong 14-2 season in 2024, where they reached the College Football Playoff National Championship game for the first time in 12 years. Even this season, he is cruising with a 4-2 record, losing only to the top two teams. But Marcus Freeman didn’t just get the reins of the Irish overnight; he worked his way up through some really odd jobs.

“I was a paper boy,” Freeman reflected on his struggles on the Wake Up the Echoes podcast. “That was my first job. I did a landscaping job in high school.” He further added, “And then in college, well, actually I did a busboy [job] and I did like a busing job for a banquet center in high school. And then in college, for about a month, I worked at Texas Roadhouse as a busboy.” This grind also came from the fact that Freeman was raised in a very disciplined military family that understood the meaning of hard work.

His African-American father, Michael Freeman, served in the U.S. Air Force. He met Marcus’ mother, Chong, who was a Korean, during his service in South Korea. This multicultural background gave Marcus a broad perspective on life from an early age. Building on this foundation, Marcus often credits his father’s strict discipline as a key influence in his life and coaching style. “Just the discipline and hard work, the routine, right?” Freeman said. “I wake up the same time mostly every day. My routines are my routines, and I’m a firm believer in hard work and being honest with people. My dad was a brutally honest person.”  This routine and discipline shaped how Marcus approaches each day.

On the other hand, his mother, Chong, has her own tales of sacrifice. “My mother is such a selfless person, right?” Freeman said about his mother. “To leave your family in South Korea, marry an American, and come to the United States. She didn’t go back to Korea until 2017. She came over here in 1976. And to just give that up, it shows you her selflessness.”  This cultural blend taught Marcus how to adapt, respect different perspectives, and work hard across all parts of life.

Marcus Freeman grew up in Ohio, went on to play for the Buckeyes in his college career. He played sparingly in 2004 and missed the 2005 season due to a knee injury. But then he was a consistent force over his final two years, starting every game in 2007 and 2008. His playing stats of 268 tackles, two interceptions, and 15 pass defenses are a whole lot of proof about his tenacity as a player. But then, before he could establish himself with the pros, his NFL career was cut short due to an enlarged heart valve condition, which forced him into early retirement.

After that, Freeman significantly leaned on for guidance to his old coach, Jim Tressel. That’s when he started at Ohio State as a graduate assistant. Fast forward to now, at just 38, he’s at the helm of one of college football’s most storied programs. He’s had his fair share of crossroads, too. Three years ago, he got the chance to follow Brian Kelly to LSU, but passed. Before that, he had to choose between staying on Luke Fickell’s staff at Cincinnati or heading to Notre Dame. Through it all, Freeman’s taken his lumps, learned some tough lessons, and figured out how to run his program his own way.

Having been on this unusual journey, Freeman has just one message for his kids. “I wanted my kids to know that, though, like cuz they’re growing up differently than I am,” he said. “I also want them to understand the value of hard work.”

Meanwhile, Freeman is also preparing Notre Dame for a huge clash this week.

Big day for Marcus Freeman and the Irish

18 October is a big day for Marcus Freeman and the Irish, as their battle against the Trojans can be a major playoff deciding factor. This is the only time Notre Dame has lost to ranked opponents; the impression becomes a worrying factor. USC has another lifeline of leaning on a Big Ten race if it stumbles. But Notre Dame has no conference championship to fall back on. This makes the USC game a do-or-die moment for Freeman’s squad.

Last season, skipping a conference championship game was a blessing. It gave Notre Dame extra rest, and the risk of a late-season loss was also avoided. That helped them maintain a top CFP ranking. This year, that advantage feels like a curse. Plus, injury woes are piling up. Key players like Devonta Smith, Will Black, and Jaden Greathouse are listed as questionable.

Plus, there are a few players who are out, like Micah Gilbert and Ashton Craig. On top of that, there are defensive inconsistencies. The Irish allowed 27 points to Miami and 41 points to Texas A&M. They rank 132nd nationally in pass defense, giving up over 289 passing yards per game. Many favor USC because of Notre Dame’s struggles and the point spread. Still, some think the Irish could sneak into the playoffs despite these obstacles.