Freeman details Notre Dame's crucial offseason, highlighting returning coordinators, quarterback C.J. Carr, and the path toward national championship aspirations.
Spring is upon us. The beginning of the end of the offseason is in site and we're another day closer to Notre Dame kicking off their 2026 campaign against the Wisconsin Badgers up at Lambeau Field on September 6. Today, head coach Marcus Freeman talked through the offseason plan, the state of the program and how the team is starting to take shape We also heard from Rob Hunt the Director of Sports Medicine and Loren Landow the Director of Football Performance.
This is a crucial offseason for the Irish and the expectations are at an all time high. They return all three coordinators in Mike Denbrock, Chris Ash and Marty Biagi along with starting quarterback CJ Carr which Freeman talked about during today's press conference. Notre Dame is one of the favorites to win the national title and have a preseason Heisman hopeful returning under center. The journey to January 25 starts this week with the kickoff of spring practice.
You can watch the entire press conference here:
Here are some of the main quotes from today's press conference:
Freeman On Having Both Coordinators Returning
"For the guys that have been here, they're at a different level at understanding what's expected," Freeman explained. "You might have position coaches back and players but you make a change at coordinator, it still takes time. Certain terminology changes and expectations might change. To have both of those guys back, and our special teams coordinators back, and players in important positions that understand expectations and terminology, you're able to be developed at a different level than what you were previously."
Freeman On The Benefits Of Having A Longer Offseason
"There's absolutely benefits to having an extended offseason," Freeman answered. "This has been a unique offseason for me to see because we've never had this much time. We've had a full eight weeks of training in the weight room, the football school and the individual drills. We're at a different level that I haven't seen yet. We've talked about it as coaches around adjusting the calendar so we all get those eight weeks of winter conditioning. We'll see what the future holds in terms of the calendar but there's been a lot of benefits for this group to have eight weeks of interrupted training."
Freeman On The Leadership On The 2026 Team
"I think the leadership has been tremendous," Freeman stated. "This is the first time, for me, that I've had two returning captains and you have a bunch of guys that have played and are leaders and what to be leaders and understand those expectations. You have to be intentional around separating the new guys with the guys that have been training in your program because you have to be able to evaluate where they're at. They need individual time or their own group with our strength staff and nutritionist and then, when you feel like they're ready to join the rest, you integrate them."
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