Few collegiate football programs aspire to a national championship as consistently as

Notre Dame. This ambition comes with challenges, but Marcus Freeman is now one win away from leading the Fighting Irish to their first title since 1988 under Lou Holtz. In his third season, the 38-year-old coach has guided Notre Dame to its first CFP appearance since 2020. Under Freeman, the Irish have performed impressively against ranked opponents, reviving the program’s championship heritage. Yet, he is not the most successful coach in Notre Dame history. Who holds that honor? Brian Kelly? Not quite.

With four national championships in the 1940s, Frank Leahy is the most accomplished coach in Notre Dame history. Before replacing Elmer Layden in 1941 at the age of 33, Leahy attended Boston College for two years. Despite losing to the Great Lakes Navy at the end of the 1943 campaign, the 9-1 Irish were named the best team in the country. And even though they lost their last game, he guided the team to a national championship.

Then, Leahy returned to Notre Dame for the 1946 season after serving in the Navy during World War II. When he returned, Leahy’s teams were still winning college football games. He took home national titles in 1946, 1947, and 1949. From 1946 to 1950, his teams went 39 games without a loss. Really outstanding!

At Notre Dame, Leahy had an outstanding total record of 87 victories, 11 defeats, and 9 draws. He has one of the highest victory percentages in NCAA history (.864). He was a coach to four Heisman Trophy winners, including quarterbacks Angelo Bertelli and Johnny Lujack. With two years left on his contract, he resigned in January 1954 due to health issues. And he attributed his decision to feeling unwelcome. But he is not the only name that Irish fans may recall; there are other names as well.

There is Dan Devine is up there. With a 38-10 victory over No. 1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl, the 53-year-old Devine concluded his 19th season as head coach and the third of six at Notre Dame. He helped the team to win the National Title game in 1977. Besides him, there are Ara Parseghian, Knute Rockne, and so on.

What is Marcus Freeman’s position?

Marcus Freeman was named the DC and linebackers coach at Notre Dame in 2021. He established himself as a defensive genius while he was at Cincinnati. As a result of his outstanding efforts there, 247Sports named him the Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 2020, recognizing his talent. Then, Freeman was named the 32nd head coach in Notre Dame’s history in Dec 2021, after Brian Kelly left LSU. Immediately assuming command, he led the team in the Fiesta Bowl match against Oklahoma State.

There have been many highs and a few lows throughout Marcus Freeman’s early career at Notre Dame. Despite his Irish teams’ constant inconsistencies, Marcus Freeman is very close to setting an incredible milestone held by a Notre Dame icon as he sits around the midway point of Year Three of his tenure.

In his first two and a half seasons as head coach, Marcus Freeman has already secured 14 wins over ranked opponents, surpassing Frank Leahy’s 10 in his first three seasons. This is no small feat and speaks volumes about Freeman’s ability to compete at the highest level. As of now, Freeman will be the 6th successful head coach if he wins the National Title. The stakes have never been higher, and as the title race heats up, all eyes will be on him to see if he can make history and earn that sixth spot.