Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman spoke to the media ahead of spring practice. Here are a few key takeaways from the press conference.
On refocusing on the next season after losing to Ohio State in the national championship game, which ended the longest season in Notre Dame history: “You take off one hat and put on another. That’s the reality of the profession of coach, head coach. You don’t have much time to recalibrate. You’ve gotta move to the next thing.”
He also mentioned how the staff is working on what things need to be addressed, and then addressing them. He said he’s also put 2024 behind him and is now focused on 2025.
On the topic of keeping the spring game instead of changing it or eliminating it, plus spring practice changes, Freeman said the start was pushed back two weeks in order to give players time for strength and conditioning. There will be a spring game, or a version of it, because “it’s important to me to use that as an opportunity” to both let players perform in front of fans and to integrate the community with the team. Also, to give fans who can’t get to a regular-season game another chance to see the team in action.
Jeremiyah Love and Gi’Bran Payne seem to be recovering well from injuries. The Irish are working to better mix Jordan Faison’s time with the football team and the lacrosse team and better manage the schedule so that he can get more practice time for football while still fulfilling his obligations to the lacrosse squad.
Freeman likes what he’s seen on film when it comes to young players in the middle of the defense who are set to replace departed veterans.
On the pros and cons of playing in the national championship and losing: “The experience you’ve had in the past must create a new foundation for the present.” He also said he looks at all the pros and that the presence in the game did “a tremendous amount for this football program.”
Freeman thinks even incoming transfers can learn from last season.
On new defensive coordinator Chris Ash: “I’ve been extremely pleased, probably more than anything is the leadership, to ability to get three position coaches that have been here, to be teammates.”
Freeman said the defense will be a mix of similar things to what they’ve done in the past, and some new things.
On the quarterback competition, Freeman says all three players that are fighting for the job — Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and CJ Carr — will all get reps, including as the number one. Freeman stressed the importance of communication and feedback from the coaches. He also said he won’t put a timetable on it because there’s no need, and the starter will be the one that’s clearly the best QB.
“We’ll name a starter when a starter cleary shows that he’s the best quarterback,” Freeman said. He added that he thinks the competition will make all three players better. He said the three have similar skill sets and that the coaching staff is working to tailor the offense to their strengths.
On Kevin Bauman and Jason Onye, Freeman said he’s proud to see both players out there. Bauman is recovering from an injury and Onye from taking time off to address his mental health.
On next season’s player leadership, Freeman said spring practice will help determine which guys will take those roles, and it will be “organic”. He also said you can have more leaders than captains.
On the new front office: “With success, your guys continue to get opportunities, and you want that.” He said that success meant the staff would be attractive to other programs, and as he looked to replace those who left, he tried to match their strengths with the direction of the sport. He also said character is the most important trait. He said he liked new GM Mike Martin’s character even more than his competence.
Freeman also said Martin is a good communicator.
The vision for recruiting, according to Freeman, is that it will be all about relationships and recruiting the right guys.
On having a relatively young wide-receiver room: “We’re gonna have to count on some of these guys.” Freeman also understands that if the receivers make mistakes, it won’t necessarily reflect poorly on a QB during that competition. “Guess what? There’s gonna be some young guys in that wide receiver room that get better fast. And that’s going to make our team better.”
On the offense with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock returning: “It’s definitely an added benefit.”
Moving Devan Houstan to the offensive line might give Houstan more of a chance to play.
Finally, Freeman said that having the shortened spring roster is “good on good” since there are no scout teams involved. He also added any players worried about position battles should just be focused on being the best version of themselves.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman speaks, we have key takeaways
