Marcus Freeman, head coach of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, has made history as the first Black and Asian American coach to lead a team to the College Football Playoff National Championship. The team secured their spot with a thrilling 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl, with Mitch Jeter’s game-winning field goal in the final seconds. The Irish will face Ohio State on Monday, January 20, 2025.
As reported by NBC New York, Freeman acknowledged the milestone, stating, “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. But this ain’t about me. This is about us.”
According to Yahoo Sports, Freeman’s success has caught the attention of the Chicago Bears, who may consider him for their head coaching role after the title game.
Freeman, 39, attributes his success to the values instilled by his Korean mother and African American father. In his third year as head coach, he has led Notre Dame to a 14-1 record this season and an overall record of 34-9.
This historic achievement not only marks a milestone for Freeman but also serves as an inspiration for underrepresented communities in sports leadership.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
We are supported through donations and such charitable organizations as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Donations to Asian American Media Inc and AsAmNews are tax-deductible. It’s never too late to give.
Please also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and X.
