During the college football season, on Monday’s is when the head coaches meet with the media, as Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman did.
Boise State’s Spencer Danielson did the same, and talked plenty about the upcoming matchup with the Irish. There clearly isn’t any bad blood between the two coaches, as it seems like there is a mutual respect from the two.
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That is great to see, as they’ll be enemies for most of this coming Saturday. Danielson gave a great outsider look at the Irish program, along with updating up on if a former Notre Dame player will get another chance to play in Notre Dame Stadium. Find out everything that the Boise State head coach said about Notre Dame on Monday.
On Jaden Mickey facing his former team
Notre Dame cornerback Jaden Mickey participates in a drill during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in South Bend.
“In regards to Jaden Mickey, I saw him after he was released from the hospital on Saturday night, I was able to get some time with him. He was doing much better. Even talking to him about the moment itself, when the hit happened on the kickoff, and everybody saw what kinda happened on the field. He was just back and forth, saying “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I was telling him this, I was telling him this, and he started crying. He said it chokes me up because my dad told me that every night before I went to sleep. And once again, this is a young man that, obviously an alum of Notre Dame, but he’s lost his mom, he’s lost a lot. And seeing him come back from that injury, he’s going through concussion protocol, but all tests are negative for everything else. Thank you Jesus for that. Still day-to-day in regards to if he’s going to play this game or not.”
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On Marcus Freeman
Sep 27, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates after a score during the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Notre Dame won 56-13. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
“Obviously a huge opponent this week. I think the world of Marcus Freeman, was blessed to be able to meet him this off-season at an event. Obviously the success speaks for itself in regards to him as a coach and him as a defensive coordinator, him as a leader. From meeting him, and just seeing him from afar, just also like a phenomenal leader of men. He cares about building young men to be champions in life, and obviously they’ve had a ton of success. They’ve got a great football team, but a lot of respect for Marcus Freeman and how he does it, not just the results on the field.”
On Notre Dame’s offense
Sep 27, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrators with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
“On all three phases, they’ve got a lot of different weapons. Offensively, their two running backs, Jeremiyah Love, two of the best we’ll see all season. Period, end of story. In my opinion, two NFL first-round draft picks and we got our work cut out stopping them. Great schematics, their offensive line is really good. They got receivers that can beat you consistently, so we got our work cut out for us defensively, starts with tackling the running backs, then CJ, their quarterback, he’s going to be a future first-round draft pick. I don’t think I’m the first one that will say that. He has that type of potential and he has that type of leadership accuracy that who he is as a quarterback. Offensively, they’re loaded, they’re coached extremely well, they’re not going to make mistakes and we got our work cut out for us defensively.”
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On Notre Dame’s defense
Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen (34) lines up during the first half of a NCAA football game against Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in South Bend.
“Defensively for them, their front seven is one best front seven’s well for sure see all year. Well coached, No. 5 (Boubacar Traore) one of their edge rushers is a dynamic football player. No. 34 (Drayk Bowen) is a really good linebacker for them, a captain. They’re able to rotate and play a lot of guys, very physical at the point of attack, can run, very sound. And their back end, they don’t give up a lot of explosive plays because they play really well together. They can lock you up in man, do a good job with zone switch ups, they’re going to be really, really well coached.”
On the rest of Notre Dame’s coaching staff
Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock watches warmups before the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
“We know that going in, Marcus Freeman does a phenomenal job holistically, defensive guy. Coach Ash has coached a lot of defense in his time, so we’ve got a lot of respect for their coaches. Coach Denbrock, coach Stockton, who is an alum of Notre Dame, said that coach Denbrock as the offensive coordinator when he was there. Obviously Jaden Mickey is an alum, so it’s cool to see a lot of different connections. I think the phase that needs to be talked about with their team even more is how good they are at special teams. I mean, they play relentless, on special teams. It is inspiring to me to see how hard they play on special teams. And they will fake it every opportunity they can, from punt to kickoff, they are going to find ways to steal possessions, and they do a really good job of it. So that is going to be a premium for us this week, to make sure we can align to everything and do a really good job stopping their fakes because it is going to happen, and we got to be ready for it. Ton of respect for Notre Dame, ton of respect for Marcus Freeman and what he’s been able to build there, and how successful they are. They deserve a ton of credit, and so for us this week, obviously a lot of people will be talking about this game, as they should, it’s a huge opponent. My biggest focus for our team is ‘your best is enough, and your best is required.’
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: What Boise State HC Spencer Danielson said about Notre Dame football
