19 January 2025

the Catholic conversion Hoping to lead the University of Notre Dame to its first national football championship since 1988, he told reporters this weekend that he credits his players — and his faith — for the Fighting Irish's success.

Marcus Freeman took over the program in 2021 after the man who hired him, his predecessor Brian Kelly, left for Louisiana State University.

Freeman has come Our Lady That same year to serve as Kelly's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He had a choice: either follow his boss to LSU or stay at Notre Dame, it was reported at the time.

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Promoted to head coach of Notre Dame on December 3, 2021, Freeman restored the team's tradition of… Attending mass Together before every home game. That was before he became a Catholic.

“I remember I was a recruit and I attended a Notre Dame football game — I was in high school — and I watched the team come out of the cathedral for the pregame Mass, and I thought that was the coolest thing,” Freeman told reporters on Saturday. Atlanta, where the Irish are preparing to take on Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship. “I remember seeing movies about it.”

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with his players after their home win against Indiana.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman brought back the team tradition by bringing back the pregame Mass before home games. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)

The 39-year-old Ohio State graduate spoke about his first year at Notre Dame, recalling that there was no pregame Mass.

“So, when I was hired as head coach, that was something I talked about with the administration, about when that decision was made to not have a pre-game Mass and what we had to do to change it… It was important to me that change that,” Freeman said. .

Although it was raised as ChristianFreeman was not Catholic when he arrived on campus in 2021.

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Freeman was baptized into the Catholic Church and received His first Holy Communion The following year, according to the Sept. 11, 2022, bulletin, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Indiana.

The team chaplain, Father Nate Wells, helped prepare Freeman for his conversion to Catholicism.

Marcus Freeman at NFL Media Day in Atlanta.

Freeman converted to Catholicism in 2022, ahead of his first full season as head coach at Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

“I think being at Notre Dame is a place where growing your faith is encouraged,” Freeman said.

“It's not just Catholicism. It's your reality.” Having faith and belief Into something bigger than you.”

“You have to trust beyond evidence, trust beyond knowledge…”

Players, including midfielder Riley Leonard, also share this belief.

Leonard started at Duke University, starting with the Blue Devils in 2022 and 2023. But an injury in 2023 forced him out, and he soon announced he would transfer to Notre Dame for his final season of eligibility.

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“Notre Dame being in the transfer portal was my first and last visit ever,” Riley told reporters on Saturday.

Riley has been vocal about his faith. He said he believes God has a plan for him to come to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard runs back to pass the ball against Indiana in a home playoff game.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame's quarterback, is devout in his faith. (Steve Limentani/ISI Images/Getty Images)

“I remember sitting in my room and praying at night, saying, 'Jesus, Lord, would you please give me something, or make me an offer?'” Riley said.

“The next day, I woke up and said hello.”

Freeman is a humble man with no shame, Riley said His faith.

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“Our players study the Bible,” Freeman told reporters. “I have a strong faith and… you have to trust beyond having evidence, trust beyond knowledge, which is another slogan of faith. We're not ashamed of that. They're not ashamed of that, and it's important to us.”

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That faith will clearly be on display Monday night as Freeman seeks to become the first Notre Dame coach since Lou Holtz, a devout Catholic, to hoist the national championship trophy.

The sign above the door leading to the eastern entrance of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, where pre-match masses are held, also reads: “God, my homelandNotre Dame, in eternal glory.”

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