ATLANTA — As if being the head coach at Notre Dame didn’t bring enough attention to Marcus Freeman, the pressure of preparing the No. 7 seed Fighting Irish to play No. 8 Ohio State in the College Football Playoff Championship Game in Atlanta on Monday adds another layer of responsibilities.
What the third-year coach, who turned 39 on Jan. 10, didn’t want to do Saturday morning at the media availability was to discuss his future, specifically whether he was interested in the Chicago Bears or any other head coaching job in the NFL as some reports had suggested.
“You know how busy we’ve been preparing for this opportunity,” Freeman said. “Here’s the reality, that with team success comes individual recognition. To hear that the Bears have interest, it’s humbling. It’s the NFL.
“I have put zero thought into coaching in the NFL. All my attention has just been on getting this team prepared for every opportunity we have in front of us. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but that’s the answer you’re going to get.”
With that, Freeman moved onto the next question but he made a salient point: People notice success.
That’s why defensive coordinators Al Golden of Notre Dame and Ohio State’s Jim Knowles were also queried about their plans.
Golden was asked if he wanted to return to the NFL where he was an assistant for the Detroit Lions (2016-19) and the Cincinnati Bengals (2020-21).
“At the end of the day this is not the time or the place,” he said. “This is about the kids. There’s always time to reflect on all of that after the season.”
Knowles, in his third season with the Buckeyes, has been rumored for the defensive coordinator position at Oklahoma.
“Bad Internet. There you go. Just trying to beat Notre Dame,” he said. “Notre Dame; that’s all I’m focused on. These things happen, I guess, when you have success, players are making plays. My job is to put them in the best position. These things come up when you do well.”
–Got his back
Golden said Saturday he doesn’t appreciate the vitriol Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has received after a fourth straight loss to Michigan on Nov. 30.
Day, who was the wide receivers coach at Temple when Golden was the head coach in 2006, has a 69-10 record since replacing Urban Meyer in 2019 but some fans called for his firing in the wake of the Michigan game.
“I couldn’t be more happy for anybody because of his work ethic and what he’s become,” Golden said. “All the critics, at the end of the day what is he? He’s a great coach. He’s a tremendous father. He’s a great husband and he’s a leader of men. So, I’m happy for him. I really am.”
–Do it again?
Ohio State won the inaugural College Football Playoff title 10 years ago, beating Alabama in the semifinal and Oregon in the championship game on Jan. 12, 2015. The Buckeyes cruised to a 42-20 win over the Ducks.
This season marked the first time the CFP expanded to 12 teams and the Buckeyes once again are in the hunt.
“I think our university did a great job of making history and I don’t think it’s any coincidence that they were the first team to win that one and I don’t think it’ll be a coincidence if we handle business on Monday,” wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said. “If you look in the eyes of my teammates, we’re all laser focused and we are here for one goal, to win the game on Monday.
“We have an amazing opportunity with this being the first 12-team playoff, and just showing how a team can battle back from adversity that maybe they faced earlier in the year.”
–Battlelines drawn
Ohio State standout receiver Jeremiah Smith expects a big game Monday since being limited to a catch for 3 yards by Texas in the semifinal after a combined 13 catches, 290 yards and four touchdowns in playoff wins over Tennessee and Oregon.
“You watch the film, they doubled, tripled me, dropping into flats, as well, but just being a decoy out there helped us win the game for sure,” he said. “I mean, it’s pretty frustrating, but I’ve got to do what’s best for the team. I can’t be selfish. We’ve got other guys on the team that can do what I can do.”
Notre Dame famously loves man coverage and cornerback Christian Gray said the defensive backs will be ready for Smith.
“We’ll play him like every other guy. Really just be violent and just be physical,” Gray said. “Whoever we go against, we’re not going to change it for them.”
Smith issued a warning.
“None of us (Ohio State receivers) think we can be covered,” he said. “I mean, we actually talked about this yesterday, as well. If that’s what they do, that’s what they do. We’re just going to go out there, play our game and show the reason not to play man-on-man.
“I’m just ready for the challenge and just getting ready to go out there Monday and put on a show.”
Gray didn’t take the bait.
“I could just say he’s got his opinion, you know,” he said. “He just said what he just said. I didn’t really see his comment on it, but whatever he says is his own opinion.”
