Coach Marcus Freeman is being considered for a major award based on his performance on the sidelines for US LBM Coaches Poll No. 8 Notre Dame this season.
Freeman was named to the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Watch List. The award is named after the legendary College Football Hall of Fame coach who guided Alabama to six national titles throughout his career.
The award is given each January to a college football for “contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field,” according to a description.
A recipient of the “Bear” Bryant Award in 2024, Freeman also received the George Munger Award and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honors that same year.
Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to a 6-1 record so far. Notre Dame is also No. 4 in the latest Associated Press poll and has been ranked as high as No. 2.
According to Notre Dame athletics, Freeman has led an Irish squad that currently leads the country in total defense, allowing just 235 yards per game. Notre Dame has also given up 67.3 rushing yards a game, which is third-fewest in the nation, and has allowed the fifth-fewest points (13.4).
On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s offense is sixth in the country in scoring (41.1 points per game) and has a 194-point scoring differential, which is second-best overall.
Notre Dame man ☘️
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 21, 2026
Coach Freeman has been named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/HpFJl2DXVc
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Freeman named to prestigious coach of the year award watchlist