Notre Dame fans react to hiring of Marcus Freeman as Brian Kelly’s successor
Notre Dame fans were ecstatic about the Fighting Irish giving defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman the head coaching job to replace Brian Kelly.
The moment Brian Kelly blindsided Notre Dame and left for LSU, the Fighting Irish fanbase keyed in on one name to take his place.
Marcus Freeman was the obvious choice to become the interim head coach. Fans also wanted him to get the permanent job.
They got their wish on Wednesday when Notre Dame moved forward with hiring Freeman as head coach while also getting offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to commit to staying as well.
Notre Dame fans are ecstatic about Marcus Freeman as head coach
To say that Notre Dame fans were happy would be an understatement.
276 days until @NDFootball opens on the road at @OhioStateFB, Marcus Freeman’s alma mater. I don’t know what we did to deserve this, but thank you Football Gods…we are not worthy. #BuckleUp #GoIrish #FreeTime
— Aaron Taylor (@AaronTaylorCFB) December 2, 2021
🚨🚨🚨☘️☘️☘️
— Jonas Gray (@jgray_ND25) December 2, 2021
Let me be the first the congratulate the NEW Dick Corbett Head Football Coach at the University of NOTRE DAME@Marcus_Freeman1
I’m so damn hype right now!! @NDFootball is in Great Hands!!#HereComeTheIrish
MARCUS FREEMAN 😤😤😤
— Here Come The Irish (@herecometheiris) December 2, 2021
Notre Dame players walking into Jack Swarbrick’s office demanding Marcus Freeman be made the head coach at Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/OPsGFTQbCu
— Chris Renne (@ChrisRenneCFB) December 2, 2021
AND THERE IT IS! MARCUS FREEMAN IS THE NEW HEAD COACH AT NOTRE DAME.
— 4 Horsemen Podcast (@HorsemenPod) December 2, 2021
THE MOST HISTORIC, SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY IS ALIVE AND WELL BABY!!
☘️ #GoIrish ☘️ https://t.co/0gI9DVDFkq pic.twitter.com/cOudqhDIFz
There’s a new Pope in charge. Welcome Marcus Freeman. Let’s get a ring.
— kates4cubbies (@kates4cubbies) December 2, 2021
Fans were particularly tickled at the thought of Freeman and Rees rejected leaving along with Kelly.
While I'm excited to have Marcus Freeman, I might be even more excited as we watch Brian Kelly's former staff turn down BK at LSU to stay home #GoIrish https://t.co/72peUyERUa
— Jimmer (@dc_jimmer) December 2, 2021
Marcus Freeman + Tommy Rees when Brian Kelly said, “we’re going to LSU.” pic.twitter.com/oWUjZvafqZ
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) December 2, 2021
Marcus Freeman and Tommy Rees! pic.twitter.com/KH7CsT4IOe
— Brad Powers (@BradPowers7) December 2, 2021
Marcus Freeman already getting the win over Brian Kelly by keeping Tommy Reese on staff.
— jbook™ (@jbook37) December 2, 2021
If you're LSU it has to be a little concerning that Kelly is whiffing on his targets. Missed on Freeman, Reese, and Tony Alford that we know of.
Cincinnati fans were also pretty pleased about the development with Luke Fickell projected as a possible candidate for the job.
Not only did Marcus Freeman save our ass but he’s also one of the most deserving people of the job. Huge congrats to him!!!
— Barstool Cincinnati (@UCBarstool) December 2, 2021
The media were generally supportive of the move.
Notre Dame officially going with the “Addition by Subtraction” strategy.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 2, 2021
Rees staying on in South Bend as Marcus Freeman is expected to get named as the head coach. https://t.co/iv7FSx27fk
What a rise for Marcus Freeman. Starts coaching in 2010, becomes Cincinnati DC in 2017, then Notre Dame DC and a top-5 recruiter in 2021.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 2, 2021
Now the head coach at one of the most historic teams in all of sports. https://t.co/DlJ8yML1LH
My gut says @NDFootball makes the right choice & hires MARCUS FREEMAN / TOMMY REES is staying as offensive coordinator. A terrific young Dynamite Duo ! Here come the Irish Baby ! I need to think hoops have UNC vs UM in 25 min. Y am I thinking ND football ?
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 2, 2021
There are a lot of believers in Marcus Freeman. It's because he's authentic in a business where some say goodbye on group chats. I could sense he'd be a star in coaching when I covered him at Purdue.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 2, 2021
Notre Dame needs to hire Freeman as head coach. He's ready and will win.
Incredible higher by @NDFootball to promote Marcus Freeman to head coach.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) December 2, 2021
He is a rising star, only 35 years old. He has coached a top 15 scoring D every year as a coordinator. And most importantly he is an incredible human who cares about developing men.
Congrats ND #GoIrish
Freeman and the Irish still have to finish the 2021 season and they could be playing for a championship before all is said and done. Notre Dame is No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings with everyone ahead of them playing for conference titles this weekend. They need help, but a playoff berth is not out of the question.
Freeman definitely won’t get to ease into this postseason and he won’t get an easier road to start his first full season. Notre Dame will open the 2022 season against Ohio State in Columbus.
Next. 25 former players destined to be future head coaches. dark