The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represents the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Established in 1887, the team has a storied history, making it one of the most prestigious programs in college football. They play their home games at Notre Dame Stadium, which has a capacity of 77,622 and has been the team's home since 1930. The Fighting Irish have claimed 11 national championships, with notable titles won in 1924, 1943, and 1988. They have produced seven Heisman Trophy winners, including legends like Tim Brown and Paul Hornung. The team's all-time record stands at 958 wins, including 22 undefeated seasons and 12 perfect seasons. Historically, the Fighting Irish gained national prominence during the early 20th century under coach Knute Rockne, who led the team from 1918 to 1930. Rockne's innovative strategies, particularly the forward pass, revolutionized college football. His tenure saw Notre Dame achieve a winning percentage of .881, with three national championships.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Head Coach
Marcus Freeman is the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University in 2010 before moving on to various positions at Kent State, Purdue, and Cincinnati. Freeman was named Notre Dame's defensive coordinator in 2021 and subsequently became the 30th head coach in the program's history on December 3, 2021. As of 2025, Marcus Freeman's contract has been extended until 2030, as per Notre Dame's official website. Freeman, who has been at the helm since December 2021, boasts a record of 30 wins and 9 losses over his three seasons with the Irish. Under his leadership, Notre Dame has made notable progress, including a successful run this season that culminated in an 11-1 record, positioning them as a strong contender in the playoff. Under his leadership, the Irish achieved a notable 10-3 record in 2022.
Marcus Freeman Physical Attributes
Age | 39 years old (as of January 2025) |
Height | 6 feet (1.85m) |
Marcus Freeman Age
Freeman is 39 years old as of January 2025, he was born in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, United States.
Marcus Freeman Height
Freeman is about 6ft tall.
Read More: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Mascot
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Coaches Year-by-Year
Years | Coach | Seasons | Record | Pct. |
1887–1889, 1892–1893 | None | 5 | 7–4–1 | .625 |
1894 | James L. Morrison | 1 | 3–1–1 | .700 |
1895 | H.G. Hadden | 1 | 3–1 | .750 |
1896–1898 | Frank E. Hering | 3 | 12–6–1 | .658 |
1899 | James McWeeney | 1 | 6–3–1 | .650 |
1900–1901 | Pat O'Dea | 2 | 14–4–2 | .750 |
1902–1903 | James F. Faragher | 2 | 14–2–2 | .843 |
1904 | Red Salmon | 1 | 5–3 | .625 |
1905 | Henry J. McGlew | 1 | 5–4 | .556 |
1906–1907 | Thomas A. Barry | 2 | 12–1–1 | .893 |
1908 | Victor M. Place | 1 | 8–1 | .889 |
1909–1910 | Shorty Longman | 2 | 11–1–2 | .857 |
1911–1912 | Jack Marks | 2 | 13–0–2 | .933 |
1913–1917 | Jesse Harper | 5 | 34–5–1 | .863 |
1918–1930 | Knute Rockne | 13 | 105–12–5 | .881 |
1931–1933 | Hunk Anderson | 3 | 16–9–2 | .630 |
1934–1940 | Elmer Layden | 7 | 47–13–3 | .770 |
1941–1943, 1946–1953 | Frank Leahy | 11 | 87–11–9 | .855 |
1944 | Ed McKeever | 1 | 8–2 | .800 |
1945, 1963 | Hugh Devore | 2 | 9–9–1 | .500 |
1954–1958 | Terry Brennan | 5 | 32–18 | .640 |
1959–1962 | Joe Kuharich | 4 | 17–23 | .425 |
1964–1974 | Ara Parseghian | 11 | 95–17–4 | .836 |
1975–1980 | Dan Devine | 6 | 53–16–1 | .764 |
1981–1985 | Gerry Faust | 5 | 30–26–1 | .535 |
1986–1996 | Lou Holtz | 11 | 100–30–2 | .765 |
1997–2001 | Bob Davie | 5 | 35–25 | .583 |
2001 | George O'Leary | 0 | 0–0 | – |
2002–2004 | Tyrone Willingham | 3 | 21–15 | .583 |
2004 | Kent Baer | 0 | 0–1 | .000 |
2005–2009 | Charlie Weis | 5 | 35–27 | .565 |
2010–2021 | Brian Kelly | 12 | 92–40^ | .697 |
2021–present | Marcus Freeman | 2 | 19–8 | .704 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Coaching Staff 2024
Name | Position |
Mike Denbrock | Offensive coordinator / tight ends coach |
Al Golden | Defensive coordinator |
Marty Biagi | Special teams coordinator |
Gino Guidugli | Quarterbacks/pass game coordinator |
Deland McCullough | Associate head coach/running backs coach |
Mike Brown | Wide receivers coach |
Joe Rudolph | Offensive line coach |
Al Washington | Defensive line / defensive run game coordinator |
Max Bullough | Linebackers coach |
Mike Mickens | Defensive backs / defensive pass game coordinator |
Loren Landow | Director of football performance |
Read More: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stadium
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Assistant Head Coach
The assistant head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is Deland McCullough, who also serves as the running backs coach and running game coordinator. McCullough joined the Notre Dame coaching staff in 2022.
FAQ's on Notre Dame Fighting Irish Coach
A. The most generally accepted explanation is that the press coined the nickname as a characterization of Notre Dame athletic teams, their never-say-die fighting spirit and the Irish qualities of grit, determination and tenacity.
A. Combining elements of both Gothic and Romanesque styles, the cathedral has captivated visitors worldwide, drawing them in with its breathtaking design and storied past.
A. Since their inaugural season in 1887, Notre Dame has claimed 11 national championships, including 8 from the major wire-service: AP Poll and/or Coaches' Poll.
A. Notre Dame's most recent national championship win was in 1988.
A. Notre Dame has won 11 national championships (1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1966, 1973, 1977, and 1988).