College Football Playoff National Championship: Marcus Freeman Makes Opening Remarks

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman took part in his first media availability previewing the January 20 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between his Irish and the Ohio State Buckeyes. A former Buckeye linebacker himself, Freeman answered questions about his team, his past, and his future opponent. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

Ohio State will present a tough challenge. “We know that.”
The challenge of facing Ohio State’s receivers and sticking with man coverage: As you watch film, not many teams are successful just sitting in man coverage against this team. So they’ll need to mix things up. “You’re not going to be able to stop their receivers totally.” They have to come up with a plan and then adapt and adjust based on what’s going on in the game.
Is this a full-circle moment for you to be coaching against OSU in the NC game? In terms of this season, yes, because of the season they have had. “This has nothing to do with the past and where I went to school.”
On his offensive line’s health: LT Anthonie Knapp will miss this game. RG Rocco Spindler, they’ll see how he progresses this week in practice. As far as the starting lineup, they need to figure that out. “We’ve got a week of preparation to make sure we get the right guys to start this game.”
Where have teams had success against OSU’s defense: Each team can be different. Notre Dame needs to be able to run the ball. You study what other teams have done, but you still have to do what you do best. They need to run the ball and stop the run.
On the flu having gone through the team: Half the team has had it and he’s sure it’s been through OSU as well. It won’t have an impact on this game.
What did you get out of watching the Cotton Bowl in real time? You don’t get any schematic things watching like that, but you see the playmakers. Then you go and evaluate the coaches’ copy of the film. He saw guys on OSU’s side making big plays on offense and defense.
On favorite memories with James Laurinaitis: There are so many moments when you play together. But they were in each others’ weddings. They had great moments working together at Notre Dame. Lot of great moments and some he won’t share on this press conference “but he’s a great friend.”
Every person in this program has put the program in front of themselves, and that’s why they are where they are right now. Every person in the building has had a vital role in getting them where they are. “We need you to execute that role, whatever that role is, the best you can.”
“If me being a Black and Asian head coach in the college football national championship gives others that opportunity, that’s awesome.” This isn’t about him but he is thankful for the opportunity that former ND AD Jack Swarbrick gave him.
On RB Jeremiyah Love saying he wanted Ohio State in this game and last year’s game: If you need last year’s game to motivate you, then you’re not the right person for this task. They will use learning opportunities for previous opportunities, but they don’t need additional motivation in this game.
Jeremiyah Love is good to go. WR Beaux Collins has a calf strain, but he should progress just fine this week in practice.
It’s a game of adjustments and taking care of the football. They did that against Georgia. Against Penn State, they were getting difficult looks early on, so they had to make adjustments. Eventually you have to get the tough yards and take care of the football.
On concussion protocol, who does that and who says a player can come back in: They have a team of medical professionals who do a thorough evaluation of any concussion suspicions. They would never put a player back in the game if they have a concussion. “You have to trust your doctors.”
What would a national championship mean for Notre Dame: It would be special. They haven’t won one since 1988. It’s one of the reasons why players choose to come here. It would be something they’d be able to say for the rest of their lives.