"Was kind of gruff guy": Former Eagles star delivers verdict on Brian Kelly while praising Marcus Freeman after Notre Dame's win

Marcus Freeman replaced Brian Kelly as the coach of Notre Dame in 2021. Freeman, who had served as defensive coordinator in South Bend for a year, was promoted following the departure of Kelly to LSU. He's now set to record more success than his predecessor.

In his appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show,” Mike Golic discussed how Marcus Freeman has helped to change Notre Dame’s unlikeable image. This, according to the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman, is very different from what the program looked like under Kelly.

“I think Marcus Freeman is likable and that makes Notre Dame likable,” Golic said. “He's the face of the program. Brian Kelly was this kind of rough guy who changed his attitude halfway through when people were tired of him turning purple on the sideline and yelling.”

“And Marcus Freeman is young, he's good-looking, he's a great recruiter, players love him. So I think people start to like him – because there's always people that are going to hate Notre Dame. But I do think that he brings up the rating on Notre Dame.”

Freeman led the Fighting Irish to the semi-final of the College Football Playoff on Thursday after defeating No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl. He's fast taking Notre Dame to a height they've not been to over the years.

Mike Golic on Notre Dame fans’ reaction to Brian Kelly's exit

Brian Kelly surprisingly resigned from his Notre Dame job following the conclusion of the 2021 season to move to LSU.

The coach had spent 11 seasons in South Bend, finishing his tenure with a 92-39 record. Mike Golic explained how Irish fans reacted to his exit.

“They were surprised that a coach left Notre Dame because normally, a coach would leave Notre Dame by retiring or being fired, but never left voluntarily,” Golic said. “So I think they didn't really miss a beat. They didn't really miss Brian Kelly.”

“Brian Kelly's the winningest coach in Notre Dame history. He beat out Knute Rockne. So that's something. There's something to be said for that. But no, they didn't really bat an eye that he left. They were a little disgruntled that he chose to leave, and now it's kind of biting them.”

With Notre Dame roaring past the success of the Kelly era under Freeman, many fans are now placing the past behind them. Kelly is also not having it smooth at Baton Rouge currently after recording four losses this season and missing out on the expanded playoffs.