'A great leader:' Former UC coach, Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman named to ND role

Cincinnati Enquirer

An Ohio native with ties to University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University was named head football coach of Notre Dame Friday morning.

Marcus Freeman replaces former Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame to take the head coaching post at LSU,

Marcus Freeman played at Ohio State from 2004-2008, coached with the University of Cincinnati from 2016-2020 and served last season as the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame.

Freeman comes highly regarded in his first season with the Irish.

Notre Dame junior All-American safety Kyle Hamilton is a fan of Freeman, calling him a "great leader."

“Since he’s come in here, it seems like we’ve known him for years,” Hamilton told reporters.

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Here are six things to know about Freeman.

Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman during the Notre Dame vs. Navy NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

Marcus Freeman is an Ohio native

New Notre Dame defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman (right) and ND cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens (left) share a moment after their college teams squared off in 2006, a 37-7 Ohio State win over Cincinnati.

Freeman was born on Jan. 10, 1986, in Huber Heights, Ohio.

Marcus Freeman starred in high school

As a high school senior, Freeman was named to the Parade All-America team from Wayne High School and was one of the top three prospects coming out of Ohio.

Marcus Freeman started at Ohio State for several years

Freeman played for the Buckeyes from 2004-2008 and started 37 games at linebacker.

He finished his career with 268 tackles and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection his senior season.

Marcus Freeman played for three teams during his NFL career

Freeman was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 2009 NFL Draft.

He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.

Freeman retired in 2010 due to an enlarged heart condition.

Linebackers coach Marcus Freeman gives players instructions for a tackling drill during Purdue spring football practice Thursday, April 2, 2015, in the Mollenkopf Athletic Center.

Marcus Freeman's coaching career before he came to Cincinnati

Freeman started his coaching career as the linebackers and assistant coach for Kent State in 2011 before moving to Purdue, where he served as the linebackers coach in 2013 and was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2016.

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10.

Marcus Freeman was one of the first hires in Cincinnati by Luke Fickell

Freeman was hired by the Bearcats on Dec. 13, 2016.

His defense led the AAC in scoring defense in the 2018 and 2019 seasons and was a finalist for the Broyles Award and was named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year during the 2020 season.

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