Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman holds a helmet while posing for a portrait with University president John I. Jenkins and Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick 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)
No. 5 Irish enjoy spirited workouts under new coach Freeman

By John Fineran Dec. 21, 2021 07:52 PM EST

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 Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Georgia Tech's Tariq Carpenter (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Coan, No. 6 Irish dominate Yellow Jackets in 55-0 victory

By John Fineran Nov. 20, 2021 06:01 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 in for a touchdown in front of Purdue linebacker Jalen Graham (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kelly ties Rockne as No. 12 Irish hold off Purdue 27-13

John Fineran Sep. 18, 2021 06:35 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) passes the ball 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)
No. 9 Notre Dame turns to graduate transfer QB Jack Coan

By John Fineran Aug. 18, 2021 02:42 AM 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

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) passes against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Howell, No. 25 Tar Heels offense a challenge for No. 2 Irish

By John Fineran Nov. 24, 2020 03:01 AM EST

Williams, Crawford lead No. 5 Notre Dame past Florida State

By Anthony Anderson Oct. 10, 2020 11:26 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Neither a lengthy layoff nor an early fumble could deter Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams, who flashed back to second grade in order to...

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 speaks with Notre Dame defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (41) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
No. 21 Navy's defense concerns Kelly, No. 16 Irish

By John Fineran Nov. 15, 2019 11:34 AM EST

Notre Dame running back Avery Davis (4) makes a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 52-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC's Helton under microscope heading to No. 9 Notre Dame

By John Fineran Oct. 11, 2019 02:12 PM EDT

Notre Dame defensive lineman Adetokunbo Ogundeji (91) runs a fumble he recovered in for a touch down while playing Virginia in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Notre Dame won 35-20. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Correction: T25-Virginia-Notre Dame story

Sep. 28, 2019 07:30 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) leaps into the air for his fourth touchdown reception well ahead of coverage from Mississippi defensive back Keidron Smith (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
No. 1 Clemson stops 2-point try to beat North Carolina

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2019 04:53 PM EDT

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