Marcus Freeman is now the head coach of Notre Dame and has many new responsibilities. However, the hardest task so far was hiring assistants.
Freeman stated Wednesday that it was a relief to be able to say that the full-time staff has been hired. He called the experience a learning opportunity. As a first-time coach, it is easy to think that you know how things will go. But you soon realize that not everything goes as smoothly and easily as you thought.
With the appointment of Al Golden, defensive coordinator, the 10-member staff was officially complete. Former head coach of Miami, Al Golden has been an assistant coach in NFL since 2016, the last two being linebackers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Freeman did not expect to be in that position when he was promoted to early December to succeed Brian Kelly, who had departed for LSU.
Notre Dame supporters were enthusiastic about the rapid elevation of Freeman, 36 years old. It was partly because the Fighting Irish staff that helped them to win five consecutive double-digit victories seasons seemed to be staying put.
Freeman finishes the Notre Dame staff building challenge
By RALPH D. RUSSO 2 Hours ago
1 out of 10
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s head football coach, speaks at a media event Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind. Marcus Freeman, the new Notre Dame coach, has many new responsibilities. However, the hardest task so far was hiring assistant coaches. With the announcement of Al Golden’s hiring as defensive coordinator, the 10-person staff was completed. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP).
Marcus Freeman is now the head coach of Notre Dame and has many new responsibilities. However, the hardest task so far was hiring assistants.
Freeman stated Wednesday that it was a relief to be able to say that the full-time staff has been hired. He called the experience a learning opportunity. As a first-time coach, it is easy to think that you know how things will go. But you soon realize that not everything goes as smoothly and easily as you thought.
With the appointment of Al Golden, defensive coordinator, the 10-member staff was officially complete. Former head coach of Miami, Al Golden has been an assistant coach in NFL since 2016, the last two being linebackers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Freeman did not expect to be in that position when he was promoted to early December to succeed Brian Kelly, who had departed for LSU.
Notre Dame supporters were enthusiastic about the rapid elevation of Freeman, 36 years old. It was partly because the Fighting Irish staff that helped them to win five consecutive double-digit victories seasons seemed to be staying put.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Three Notre Dame assistants have left to take other jobs after Notre Dame’s loss in the bowl to Oklahoma State. The most notable departure was that of Mike Elston, the defensive coordinator, who is now the defensive line coach at Michigan.
“Yeah, it was a surprise. Although I didn’t anticipate it, Mike Elston is something I care about. Freeman stated that he cares about Mike Elston’s best interests.
Freeman is a new coach and has not built a network of coaches that he could turn to when he needed to fill vacancies. Freeman worked previously with Brian Mason, the new special teams coordinator at Purdue.
Freeman stated that he relied on Tommy Rees, the offensive coordinator, to fill in for him on this side of the ball. The former Notre Dame quarterback is 29 years old and is an inexperienced coach.
“I believe there is a new energy when you consider all the changes that have occurred in the offseason, and the current state of the economy. Rees stated that there is a renewed excitement. “I can personally attest to that, both for myself and for our players. You can feel it the moment you enter the building.”
Line coach Harry Hiestand (a slam-dunk hire) is the new offensive assistant. He joins South Bend’s running backs coach Deland Mcullough and tight ends coach Gerard Parker. Chansi Stuckey is the receivers coach.
Freeman stated that Jack Swarbrick, the athletic director, was also involved in the interview process.
Swarbrick was the one who made the connection with Golden. Swarbrick interviewed Golden (then Temple coach) during the Notre Dame search that culminated in Kelly being hired by Notre Dame in 2010.
“That’s something different than anywhere else I’ve been. The president of the university and the athletic director meet with all candidates, and I get his feedback on everyone we bring in. That holds a lot power,” Freeman stated.
Freeman, who was the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame in his first season, before being promoted, expressed interest in the idea of having a former head coach join the staff.
Golden will become the third Irish defensive coordinator in just three years. Freeman stated that while he would like Golden to build on Notre Dame’s defensive success, that unit is Golden’s to run.
Freeman stated, “He must take over this,”
Golden stated that he wants to assist Freeman in his transition from assistant coach to head coach. This will begin with where to stand during practice.
Golden kidded. “I am always running drills and suddenly I’m supervising many different things.”
Golden stated that he enjoyed coaching in NFL, but he didn’t want to give up on college. He was still impressed by Freeman’s introductory news conference.
Golden stated, “I told my wife that I shared his values,” “I listened carefully to his press conference and said that that would be a place where I would get back.”