Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman Stresses Urgency for Club’s Future: “We Need to Act Fast……
South Bend, IN — May 22, 2025
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman has issued a strong call to action regarding the direction and urgency of the football program’s future, signaling that time is of the essence if the team is to remain competitive at the national level.
“We need to act fast,” Freeman said during a press briefing on Wednesday. “The landscape of college football is shifting rapidly, and if we’re not ahead of the curve, we’ll fall behind. That’s not acceptable here at Notre Dame.”
Freeman’s comments come in the wake of a whirlwind offseason, marked by major changes in the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, rapid coaching movements, and the ongoing expansion of college football’s power conferences. While the Fighting Irish enjoyed a standout 14–2 campaign last season, culminating in a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, Freeman emphasized that past success is no guarantee of future relevance.
A Vision for Urgency
Freeman’s vision for urgency centers on several key pillars: recruiting, player development, facilities, and NIL competitiveness.
“We’ve got elite talent coming in, but we need to keep them here. We need to surround them with the best coaches, the best facilities, and a support system that prepares them for success beyond college football,” Freeman said.
Particularly pressing is Notre Dame’s positioning in the NIL marketplace. Though the university has made strides through collective efforts and alumni engagement, Freeman acknowledged that other top-tier programs are making “aggressive plays” to lure talent.
“We can’t be passive,” he stated. “This is a new era. Players deserve to benefit from their efforts, and we must provide a framework that allows them to do that—ethically, competitively, and sustainably.”
Recruiting and Retention Challenges
Freeman also highlighted the evolving challenges in recruiting and retention, citing an increasingly competitive transfer portal.
“You’re not just recruiting high school athletes anymore—you’re constantly re-recruiting your own roster,” he said. “If a player doesn’t feel supported or see a future here, they’ll find another opportunity. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Sources within the program indicate that Notre Dame is planning to invest significantly in staff expansion, including the hiring of additional analysts, nutritionists, and academic advisors to provide holistic support to student-athletes.
Commitment from the Top
University administrators have reportedly responded positively to Freeman’s concerns, with Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick confirming in a statement that Notre Dame is “fully committed to providing the resources necessary to support Coach Freeman’s vision.”
“The expectations at Notre Dame are clear: we compete at the highest level, on and off the field,” Swarbrick said. “Coach Freeman’s leadership has taken us to new heights, and we’re confident in his roadmap for sustained excellence.”
Looking Ahead
As summer workouts begin, Freeman has already begun implementing changes aimed at speeding up development and instilling a deeper sense of urgency among players.
“We’ve shortened install windows, added competitive periods in every session, and emphasized accountability in the weight room and in the classroom,” he noted.
Despite his firm tone, Freeman also expressed deep confidence in his team’s resilience and hunger.
“These young men are fighters. They believe in each other, and they believe in what we’re building. We’ve got the right people—we just need to move fast and move together.”
Final Word
As the Fighting Irish prepare for another high-expectation season, Marcus Freeman’s words serve as both a warning and a rallying cry. In the ever-evolving arena of college football, urgency isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity.
“We don’t have time to wait and see,” Freeman said. “We have to be bold. We have to be decisive. And we have to start now.”
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