Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman makes a significant leap into the Sun-Times’ top college football coaches list
Chicago: So, after Alabama’s Nick Saban retired and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh jumped to the NFL, college football coaching rankings got a fresh twist. Saban was a staple at the top, and Harbaugh was always in the mix.
As we gear up for the 2024 season, these rankings are popping up everywhere, and honestly, it’s been fun to check them out. Coaches like Kalen DeBoer from Alabama, Mike Norvell from Florida State, and Dan Lanning from Oregon are climbing the ranks. Even Lane Kiffin and Deion Sanders are getting some love. It feels like the media is finally ready to start fresh.
But looking back at those lists, one name is glaringly missing: Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame. It’s wild how he wasn’t even on the radar. ESPN had Kirby Smart at No. 1, and DeBoer was the only other coach to make all 10 expert lists. Freeman? Nowhere to be found.
CBS Sports had him ranked 24th, and even when they looked at playoff coaches, he was still way down at No. 8. The Athletic didn’t do him any favors either, putting him in a tier with coaches who are just “solid” but not really making waves.
Fast forward to now, and it’s crazy how outdated those rankings feel. Notre Dame is 14-1 and heading to the national championship against Ohio State. A lot of big-name coaches had rough seasons, but Freeman has really stepped up in his third year. It’s hard to think of another coach who’s made such a big leap in just one year.
After a rough start against Northern Illinois, the Irish have been on fire. Freeman and his team have outperformed some big names in the playoffs, despite facing injuries and tough competition. His vision and high standards are clearly paying off.
Now, if a new list came out, Freeman would definitely be near the top. CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson, who had him at 24th before, said he’d put him in the top 10 now. USA Today’s Matt Hayes, who’s been ranking coaches for ages, would probably have Freeman in the top three or four.
As the season wraps up, here’s how I’d rank the top coaches:
1. Kirby Smart, Georgia: He’s been a step above even Saban, with amazing recruiting and game adjustments.
2. Ryan Day, Ohio State: He gets a lot of heat, but with an .873 winning percentage, he’s doing something right.
3. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: He connects with players in a way that many talented coaches just can’t.
4. Dan Lanning, Oregon: He’s a recruiting powerhouse and knows how to coach defense like a pro.
5. Dabo Swinney, Clemson: He’s had great playoff success, but he needs to adapt to the new realities of college football.
6. Steve Sarkisian, Texas: He’s not perfect, but he’s had two solid seasons in a tough environment.
7. Kyle Whittingham, Utah: He’s done a lot with less, though there’s been a bit of a drop-off lately.
8. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss: He’s had six double-digit-win seasons, but he needs to keep it up to stay in the top 10.
9. Curt Cignetti, Indiana: The guy knows how to win, just look him up.
10. Bill Belichick, North Carolina: Wait, you haven’t heard of him?
