"Took a job that Brian Kelly ran from": Joel Klatt hails Marcus Freeman for turning around Notre Dame's fortunes

Notre Dame's 23-10 victory over Georgia has been a vindication of the work Marcus Freeman has done in South Bend. FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has been one of those to praise the young Irish coach for his work.

He compared the job done to date by Freeman to what Brian Kelly was able to do in his time at Notre Dame.

Recently Klatt tweeted the following:

"Marcus Freeman took a job that Brian Kelly ran from and has elevated it above where he found it...Well done sir! Great leader with an outstanding culture @NDFootball."

However, the comment isn't necessarily a condemnation of Kelly's time with the Fighting Irish. In another comment, Klatt added:

"Brian did a phenomenal job at Notre Dame, many, including me, didn’t argue with his premise…Marcus just went to work and built something special.”

Whatever you think of Freeman, the fact is that he has brought Notre Dame to the brink of achieving their first national title since 1988. No other coach at South Bend has achieved as much in the last 37 years.

Marcus Freeman praises his Notre Dame team after Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia

Following the victory of the Fighting Irish over Georgia, coach Marcus Freeman decided to speak to the character of his team and his staff and how that helped them to win this Sugar Bowl:

“We spent some time together, and I think that’s what you do in tough moments, you want to spend time with family, and that’s what we are.

“Our coaches called the game aggressive. Our players executed, put everything on the line, I’m really proud of them. Proud of the way they handled the events of the last 24 hours...That’s the aggressiveness in terms of our preparation that I want our program to have, that’s got to be one of our edges, that we are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”

The Irish took advantage of every opportunity they got, forcing a fumble at Georgia's 25-yard line and having quarterback Riley Leonard immediately convert it into a 13-yard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins in the dying moments of the first half.

That paired with a 98-yard kickoff touchdown return by Jayden Harrison put Notre Dame in a prime position to win the game.

The Notre Dame head coach also played some mind games on the Bulldogs, faking a punt during a 4th and 1 opportunity halfway through the fourth quarter.

The confused Georgia defense ran onto the field and committed an offsides penalty which allowed Notre Dame's offense to remain on the field, while keeping Gunner Stockton and co. on the sidelines.