Marcus Freeman isn’t ready for Notre Dame to lose its NCAA independence. The fourth-year head coach of the Fighting Irish expressed his pride in the program’s unique status during a recent press conference. However, he also acknowledged the shifting landscape of college football, hinting that if circumstances demand a move to a Power conference, his team will adapt and thrive.
Freeman shares his views on independence
“You know, we pride ourselves on our independence. If they come out with a decision that we can’t be independent, then we’ll make it work,” Freeman stated during the Orange Bowl coaches press conference, where he shared the stage with Penn State’s James Franklin. “I don’t have a whole bunch of opinions on it. I’m a guy that’s just tell us what we’re doing and let’s go and move forward, and let’s make the most of it. Not the answer you’re probably looking for, but I’m not strongly opinionated about it.”
Freeman’s comments come at a time when the future of college football is being heavily debated. With the College Football Playoff expanding and conference realignment becoming a hot topic, the notion of independence for teams like Notre Dame is increasingly under scrutiny. Yet, Freeman remains optimistic about the decisions made by Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua and the administration, stating, “I love where we’re at right now.”
James Franklin calls for all teams to be in a conference
The conversation about Notre Dame’s independence was sparked when Franklin, the head coach of Penn State, emphasized the need for more uniformity in college football. Ahead of their Orange Bowl clash, he made it clear that he believes all teams should belong to a conference. “I think it should be consistent across college football,” Franklin said, highlighting the disparities between programs and conferences.
His comments seemed to put Freeman in a challenging position, as he was forced to consider the implications of Franklin’s argument. “This is no knock at coach or Notre Dame, but I think everybody should be in a conference,” Franklin continued. He further elaborated that every program should either play a conference championship game or none at all, stressing the need for consistency across the board.
Freeman, seated next to Franklin, shifted slightly in his chair, perhaps realizing the weight of the discussion. Franklin, drawing from his experiences in both the SEC and Big Ten, argued that the number of conference games should also be standardized. “I was in the SEC when the whole conversation was whether to go to eight or nine conference games,” he recalled. “The Big Ten went to nine games, and I was not a math major at East Stroudsburg, but just the numbers are going to make things more challenging if you’re playing one more conference game.”
The Orange Bowl showdown
As the No. 7 seed Notre Dame (13-1) prepares to face off against the sixth-seeded Penn State (13-2) in the College Football Playoff national semifinal on Thursday night, the stakes are high. The matchup will take place at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, and both teams are eager to prove themselves on this grand stage.
Freeman’s leadership will be put to the test as he navigates the complexities of this pivotal game, all while keeping an eye on the future of the program. The potential for change looms large, but for now, the focus remains on the task at hand: winning the Orange Bowl and advancing in the playoff.
The future of college football
The ongoing discussions about conference alignment and playoff eligibility are not just theoretical for Freeman and his team. They represent a real possibility that could reshape the landscape of college football as we know it. With teams like Notre Dame historically standing apart from the rest, the question remains: how long can they maintain their independence in a world that increasingly favors consolidation?
Freeman’s pragmatic approach reflects a broader sentiment among coaches and players alike. While the tradition of independence is cherished, the realities of modern college football may necessitate a shift in strategy. As Freeman noted, “If they come out with a decision that we can’t be independent, then we’ll make it work.”
As fans gear up for the Orange Bowl, the excitement is palpable. Will Notre Dame continue its storied tradition of independence, or will the winds of change force a new chapter in its history? One thing is certain: the passion for college football remains unwavering, and the Fighting Irish are ready to make their mark, no matter the circumstances.
