Excitement is in the air. Fans are flocking from all over the country to be there in Atlanta for the ultimate Ohio State vs. Notre Dame National Championship game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This major game meant a lot more to Marcus Freeman, who became the first Black and Asian HC to make the FBS championship game. But right from when this narrative surfaced, the Notre Dame HC maintained that he didn’t want his personal achievement to overshadow the Fighting Irish’s success. 

In a new YouTube episode on ESPN on January 19, when Marcus Freeman was asked how he feels about his achievement, he diverted the topic to the significance of playing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is observed on the third Monday of January, and this time it falls on January 20th, just like it does every year since it became a federal holiday in 1986.

Noting that the 39-year-old HC said, “The significance of Martin Luther King Day is to shine a light on what he’s done for our country and his leadership and sacrifice and the life that he chose to put action to his beliefs and to make our country a better place… As far as being the first Black and Asian HC to coach in this game, I’m very grateful, humbled, and honored to be in this situation.”

When Marcus Freeman first achieved this milestone following the Orange Bowl against Penn State, he made it clear that it was the team’s achievement that should take the spotlight. After all, it’s the Irish’s first national championship appearance since 2012, and that is a huge transformation. And now, one day ahead of the ultimate college football showdown against Ryan Day’s squad, he holds on to what he said. 

Marcus Freeman hopes that his achievement will give young Black players a sense of motivation to pursue their goals. He added, “There’s many young people in both of our locker rooms that look like me, that I hope if they want to be a coach, get the opportunity to not based off how you look but the content of your work.”

Freeman also pushed his personal achievement to the backseat, saying, “I don’t love the intention on me being the first.” For him, his team deserves the biggest glory for their collective effort that got Notre Dame to where they stand now. 

Can Marcus Freeman’s Irish upset Ohio State?

Notre Dame put together a strong playoff performance, raking up 77-51 against Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State. Still, they fall short compared to Ohio State’s dominant 111-52 record against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas. The Irish enter the CFP National Championship game as an 8.5-point underdog against the Buckeyes. And their latest injury report gives fans a sense of anxiety. 

A new update by Pete Thamel reported that Notre Dame will be starting their redshirt freshman at left tackle. Charles Jagusah will replace Anthonie Knapp, who is still recovering from his left ankle sprain against Penn State. But one good thing is that their star RB, Jeremiyah Love, will be returning from his knee injury to play in the CFP National Championship game.

There’s just one day left for the big game. Marcus Freeman already accomplished a lot winning both the George Munger Award and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year. Will he get another chance to make history in college football?