Marcus Freeman admits to what the whole country watched when Notre Dame lost to Ohio State in the National Championship
Notre Dame head coach **Marcus Freeman** has broken his silence and offered a raw, candid reflection on what fans across the nation witnessed when his Fighting Irish fell to **Ohio State in the National Championship Game**. In a moment of honesty that has been praised by fans and analysts alike, Freeman admitted that his team came up short on the biggest stage — not just in terms of the scoreboard, but in execution, composure, and crucial decision-making.
The loss, which capped off an otherwise stellar season for Notre Dame, was a tough pill to swallow. Facing a well-drilled and relentless Ohio State team, the Irish had their chances but failed to capitalize on key moments. Now, weeks removed from the emotional night, Freeman is taking full responsibility and acknowledging the reality that played out before a national audience.
“Look, the truth is, we didn’t execute when it mattered most,” Freeman said in a recent post-season press conference. “What the whole country saw was a team that fought hard — but didn’t play clean, didn’t finish, and didn’t meet the standard we’ve set for ourselves.”
It was a game marked by missed tackles, untimely penalties, and offensive struggles that prevented Notre Dame from keeping pace with the Buckeyes’ high-powered attack. Ohio State, led by their dynamic quarterback and a dominant defense, took control early and never relinquished it.
Freeman admitted that coaching decisions, preparation, and even the team’s mindset entering the game were areas that deserved scrutiny. “As the head coach, it starts with me. I take full responsibility,” he stated. “We got outplayed and outcoached in some critical moments. There’s no excuse for that at this level, especially not in a national championship.”
For many fans, Freeman’s transparency was refreshing. In a sport where finger-pointing and vague explanations can often cloud post-game narratives, his willingness to confront the loss head-on has strengthened his credibility — even among critics.
Still, Freeman made it clear that the program isn’t content with simply reaching the championship game. “We didn’t come here to be satisfied with second place,” he said. “This group gave everything all year, and I’m proud of them. But we have to learn from this. If we want to be champions, we have to be better in every way — starting with me.”
The loss to Ohio State will likely serve as a motivating force heading into the next season. With a strong recruiting class incoming and key returners on both sides of the ball, Notre Dame remains poised to contend. But the memory of this defeat — and Freeman’s honest reflection on it — will linger as a reminder of what it takes to truly finish the job.
In acknowledging what the whole country saw, **Marcus Freeman has shown the kind of leadership that defines great programs** — humility in defeat, responsibility in adversity, and an unshaken belief that the best is still to come for Notre Dame.
