Marcus Freeman Leads Black Community to Record-Breaking Feat Far-Off for Deion Sanders to Script 27-Year CFB History

Forget all the hype, all the antics, and even the criticism. We can all agree that Deion Sanders has revolutionized the game, both as an NFL legend and now as he’s ‘resurrecting’ Colorado. Everyone expected Coach Prime to do something truly special—something bigger than the sport itself. That’s to make a historic feat! But he couldn’t quite pull it off. That opened the door for James Franklin, but even he fell short by just 3 points. Now it’s been achieved by Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freeman.

Hang this in the Louvre. Congratulations, everyone! Marcus Freeman has officially etched his name not only in Norman’s history but in the entire CFB’s history. Seconds ago, by taking down Franklin’s Nittany Lions 27-24, he broke the 27-year-old curse by becoming the first-ever black leader to lead their team to the NCAA Football Championship game.

After Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl win and ahead of the Orange Bowl. “You’re very grateful. It’s a reminder that you are a representation for many others and many of our players that look the same way I do,” Freeman said to reporters in New Orleans. “Your color shouldn’t matter. The evidence of your work should.” Well said, and no denying that the humble coach’s Fighting Irish balled out and his accomplishments will be remembered through achievement, not skin color.

A bittersweet moment for Franklin as he made clear that he wanted to see a Black coach hold up the championship trophy sometime in the future. It didn’t start as a night for history books. Penn State’s Nittany Lions looked poised to write their own tale of dominance.

They controlled the trenches, bulldozing Notre Dame’s defensive line and exposing vulnerabilities no other team, not even Georgia, had managed to exploit this postseason. By halftime, the Lions held a 10-3 lead, their defense suffocating and their offense surgical. It felt like the script was already written, and Freeman’s Fighting Irish were destined to play the footnote.

But if there’s one thing Marcus Freeman has mastered in his young coaching career, it’s resilience. Notre Dame emerged from halftime as a completely different team. They played with urgency, creativity, and a ferocity that turned the tide. Running back, Jeremiyah Love channeled his inner beast mode, breaking tackles and dragging defenders into the end zone to cap off a 14-point swing. The Irish had seized a 17-10 lead, and for the first time all night, Penn State looked rattled.

Then came the 4th quarter belter by their QB1, Riley Leonard, who found Jadon Greathouse wide-open downfield for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Following a punt from each side, Penn State’s Drew Allar threw a pass late over the middle. You can guess what happens when a quarterback does that out of desperation. Christian Gray picked the pass off, setting up the game-winning FG.

The turnover set up Mitch Jeter’s game-winning 41-yard field goal—a kick that sailed through the uprights as time expired. And with it, history was made. It’s a greater feat for the community than the individual. Even Coach Prime and the rest have already approved of it. Deion Sanders himself was chasing that historic win, saying, “I want to be the first African-American coach to win a darn national championship.” While Freeman hasn’t reached that peak yet, he’s definitely on the right track.

Marcus Freeman has made history in two communities

Yes, he became the first African-American head coach ever to lead his team to the National Championship on the FBS (or Division I) level after their Thursday night heroics. But that’s just part of the story. The Golden Helmets’ head coach also shines a light on another part of his heritage, one that often goes under the radar in football—South Korean roots.

Born at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center in Fairborn, Ohio, Freeman’s background is a tapestry of cultures. His mother, Chong Freeman, hails from South Korea, where she met his father, Michael Freeman, during his time in the U.S. Air Force. Together, they instilled in Marcus the values of hard work and humility—qualities now on full display as he leads Notre Dame into uncharted territory.

Ahead of the Orange Bowl, he reflected on the weight of representation and the responsibility it carries. “I want to be a representation,” he said. “But that’s not enough. If you want to truly help people, you have to make decisions and take actions that actually make a difference.” Hey! The job isn’t finished yet.