Kurt Hinish
Marcus Freeman listens during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman aims for national title as he takes over No. 5 Irish

John Fineran Dec. 06, 2021 06:27 PM EST

Notre Dame's Logan Diggs (22) runs past Georgia Tech's Quez Jackson (4) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 04:21 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) makes a touchdown catch ahead of Virginia defensive back Anthony Johnson (3) in the second half an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
No. 6 Irish hoping to avoid Yellow Jackets’ sting

By John Fineran Nov. 18, 2021 03:24 PM EST

Virginia quarterback Jay Woolfolk (16) runs out of the pocket for a gain against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Defensive line has No. 6 Notre Dame sitting in first class

By John Fineran Nov. 17, 2021 04:01 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 8 Irish ride Coan's arm, defense to 34-6 win over Navy

By John Fineran Nov. 06, 2021 07:05 PM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly walks to a huddle as his team plays Toledo in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Notre Dame won 32-29. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 12 Irish prepare for visit from long-time rival Purdue

By John Fineran Sep. 16, 2021 12:49 PM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly during Notre Dame Fall Camp on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at Irish Athletics Center in South Bend, Ind. (John Mersits/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman has new aggressive plan for Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Aug. 11, 2021 03:58 PM EDT

FILE - This is an April 16, 2009, file photo showing then-Chicago Bears NFL football team member Marcus Freeman. Notre Dame is counting on new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to groom a hungry unit in hopes of another trip to the College Football Playoff and the school’s first national championship since 1988. (AP Photo/File)
Freeman seeking more disruption from Notre Dame defense

By John Fineran Apr. 22, 2021 02:41 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh football team looks toward the empty bleachers after defeating Austin Peay in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020, in Pittsburgh. In a quirk this season, No. 5 Notre Dame enjoys a greater home-field advantage than most of its opponents: As of now, the Fighting Irish are slated to play in front of only one crowd bigger than their own, which is limited to about 10,000 people because of the pandemic. Pitt, Boston College, North Carolina and Wake Forest have not allowed any spectators to attend so far. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 5 Notre Dame basks in its unusual home 'crowd'

By Caroline Pineda Oct. 06, 2020 03:18 PM EDT

File-Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly talks to players at the bench during the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. The 58-year-old Kelly begins his 11th season at Notre Dame when the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish, taking a one-year sabbatical from football independence to join the Atlantic Coast Conference race, open against league rival Duke Sept. 12 at Notre Dame Stadium. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
No. 10 Notre Dame shooting for ACC, national titles in 2020

By John Fineran Sep. 01, 2020 04:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly watches warmups before the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State in Orlando, Fla. Notre Dame heads to spring practice with question marks at various spots, but not at quarterback where Ian Book will be returning for the Fighting Irish. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Kelly pleased as Irish begin journey toward 2020 CFP berth

By John Fineran Mar. 05, 2020 03:45 PM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly watches his team from the sideline as they play against Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford wraps up down season against No. 15 Notre Dame

By Josh Dubow Nov. 29, 2019 11:02 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2018, file photo, Stanford wide receiver Trenton Irwin is stopped by Notre Dame safety Jalen Elliott (21) and linebacker Asmar Bilal during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame's second-year defensive coordinator Clark Lea has spent all spring, summer and preseason looking for replacements for graduated 2018 tackle leaders Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill. In grad student Bilal and junior Drew White he may have found two of many. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
No. 9 Notre Dame has stacked deck of youthful linebackers

By John Fineran Aug. 27, 2019 02:42 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame wide receiver Jafar Armstrong (8) runs the ball against Clemson during the NCAA Cotton Bowl football game, in Arlington, Texas. Armstrong returns to the backfield for Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Irish hope to ride Book's arm to second straight CFP berth

By John Fineran Aug. 15, 2019 01:52 PM EDT