Notre Dame Football's Marcus Freeman Earns Honorary Head Coach Position With AFCA

Marcus Freeman has been recognized with a distinguished honor for his tireless work in the South Bend community.

Sep 14, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman walks the line of warm ups before a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images / Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes college football players and one honorary coach each season for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” away the field.

Freeman's selection as the team's coach for 2024 marks the first time that a Notre Dame head coach has received the distinguished honor.

Servant Leader

Congratulations to our Coach @Marcus_Freeman1 on being named the @Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Honorary Head Coach ☘️#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/rMkUicm5n9

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 17, 2024

Freeman has been a visible and vocal leader in the community from the moment he was hired by Brian Kelly in 2021 to oversee the defense. Giving back is central to his character, not just as a football coach but as a man.

Freeman is a steadfast supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana, which helps patients and their families during extended hospital stays. Each Friday before home games in the fall, the Notre Dame head coach and student-athletes who choose to join him visit patients and their families.

The Fighting Irish contingency delivers lunches and brings Notre Dame gifts and games to the patients. Freeman is always generous with his time, spending as much quality time as possible talking with patients and getting to know them.

A great cookie for an even better cause 💚

For every Freeman Cookie sold $1 is donated to the Boys & Girls Club ☘️

The Freeman Cookie is available now at Hagerty Family Cafe#GoIrish☘️ | @Marcus_Freeman1 pic.twitter.com/xhLnkYeobW

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) August 26, 2024

Freeman participates in many charitable endeavors, such as visiting local schools like St. Adalbert Catholic School in South Bend, where he surprised students with spring game tickets. Freeman has also spoken at philanthropic events, such as Erin’s House for Grieving Children, which supports families who've experienced a death.

Freeman is a terrific football coach. He's an even better human, and his impact in and around the community will continue to be felt for as long as he's in South Bend.

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