He is trailblazing a path for more Black coaches!
39-year-old Marcus Freeman is in his third year as head coach for Notre Dame, NBC News reports. Previously, he served as the team’s defensive coordinator but is now making historic waves at the helm of the Fighting Irish. This past week, Notre Dame defeated Penn State, 27-24, winning the Orange Bowl college football semifinal. An impressive victory gave Freeman an overall record of 34-9, and the win was also historic for the coach. Now, Freeman has made history as the first Black and first Asian American coach to reach the college football finals and compete in the national championship game.
“It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this,” Freeman told reporters.
Freeman, the son of an Air Force Vet and South Korean immigrant, previously spoke about his upbringing, saying he wasn’t aware of his mother’s cultural background growing up. However, he’s embraced both of his parent’s cultures as an adult, crediting his father’s military background with his discipline and his mother’s experience as an immigrant with his selflessness.
“I embraced my Korean background. I did Taekwondo, which is a Korean martial art, growing up. But also, you know, I did sports and embraced my African American side.
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Freeman said his mom taught him a lot about sacrifice, and he’s grateful for all the lessons from his parents that have led him to this point in his career. He’s proud of the door he just opened but more proud of his team and what they’ve accomplished. Notre Dame will head next to the national championship games on Jan. 20th, set to face off against the semifinal winners between Ohio State and Texas.
“This ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special,” said Freeman.
Cover photo: Marcus Freeman Makes History as First Black Coach to Reach College Football Finals/Photo credit: Quinn Harris/Getty Images/NBC News