Braden Lenzy
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

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, center, runs onto the field for the team's NCAA college football game against Stanford in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
AD: Notre Dame won't rush search to replace Brian Kelly

By John Fineran Nov. 30, 2021 03:36 PM EST

Notre Dame's George Takacs (85) celebrates with Michael Mayer (87) after catching a touchdown pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
No. 5 Notre Dame beats Stanford 45-14, awaits playoff fate

By Josh Dubow Nov. 27, 2021 11:22 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan prepares to throw a pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Notre Dame at Stanford 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 08:41 PM EST

Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) avoids Virginia cornerback Nick Grant (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Coan's 3 TD throws lead No. 7 Notre Dame past Virginia 28-3

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 13, 2021 10:53 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) avoids a tackle attempt from Virginia defensive back Elijah Gaines (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Notre Dame at Virginia 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 09:51 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan throws against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Navy at Notre Dame 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) catches a pass in front of Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Notre Dame at Virginia Tech 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 09:43 PM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Fans tailgate before Toledo played Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Toledo at Notre Dame 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 12:25 PM EDT

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell arrives before an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
Notre Dame at Florida State 9/5/2021

Sep. 05, 2021 06:39 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 offensive coordinator Tommy Rees huddles with the offense 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)
Kelly: Irish prepared in case COVID numbers spike again

By John Fineran Aug. 07, 2021 04:13 PM EDT

Irish hoping offensive flexibility will produce more points

By John Fineran Apr. 07, 2021 01:13 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Getting to the College Football Playoff hasn’t been a problem for Notre Dame. Staying in it has for Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish, who...

Notre Dame wide receiver Ben Skowronek (11) celebrates as he goes in the end zone past Pittsburgh defensive back A.J. Woods (25) for a touchdown after making a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
No. 4 Notre Dame passing game picking up with Ga Tech next

By John Fineran Oct. 29, 2020 02:05 AM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) gets a pass away as Pittsburgh defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (17) and the Pitt defense pressure him during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 05:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Notre Dame players greet fans as they enter the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, in South Bend, Ind. 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. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
No. 4 Irish seek tighter defense vs struggling Louisville

John Fineran Oct. 15, 2020 01:57 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