The college football world was sent into a frenzy on Wednesday as Auburn University officially announced the hiring of Marcus Freeman as its next head football coach. The former Notre Dame leader, who spent three seasons at the helm in South Bend, now takes over an Auburn program hungry for resurgence in the ultra-competitive SEC. For Freeman, this move represents both a fresh start and a monumental challenge—one that could define his coaching career.
Freeman’s departure from Notre Dame comes after a tenure marked by both promise and unmet expectations. Taking over for Brian Kelly in 2022, Freeman quickly became a beloved figure among Fighting Irish fans for his charisma, recruiting prowess, and defensive expertise. However, despite strong recruiting classes and flashes of brilliance, Notre Dame fell short of playoff contention under his leadership, culminating in a disappointing 2024 season that saw the Irish finish 8-4. While his overall record (28-12) was respectable, the pressure to deliver a national championship at a program like Notre Dame is relentless, and Freeman’s inability to break through ultimately led to a mutual parting of ways.
Now, he arrives at Auburn, a program with its own storied history and sky-high expectations. The Tigers have long been a sleeping giant in the SEC, capable of competing with the likes of Alabama and Georgia but often hampered by inconsistency. The last decade has seen Auburn oscillate between thrilling highs (the 2013 national championship game, the 2017 SEC West title) and frustrating lows (multiple coaching changes, middling seasons). The fan base is rabid, the resources are plentiful, and the opportunity is immense—but so is the pressure.
Freeman’s hiring signals a clear shift in philosophy for Auburn’s administration. After the failed Bryan Harsin experiment—a coach with no prior SEC experience—the Tigers have opted for a younger, more dynamic leader who understands the modern landscape of college football. Freeman’s reputation as an elite recruiter will be critical in a conference where talent acquisition is the lifeblood of success. At Notre Dame, he consistently pulled in top-10 recruiting classes, and his ability to connect with players and families was widely praised. If he can replicate that success in the heart of SEC country, Auburn could quickly become a force to be reckoned with.
But recruiting alone won’t be enough. The SEC is a different beast, and Freeman will need to prove he can outscheme and outcoach the likes of Nick Saban, Kirby Smart, and Steve Sarkisian. His defensive background—Freeman was a standout linebacker at Ohio State and later a highly regarded defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Notre Dame—will be an asset, but questions remain about his offensive vision. At Notre Dame, offensive inconsistency plagued his teams, particularly in big games. Auburn’s fan base will demand an explosive, modern offense to compete in today’s college football landscape, meaning Freeman’s choice of offensive coordinator will be one of his most critical early decisions.
Another major challenge will be navigating the NIL and transfer portal era. Auburn has the financial backing to compete in the NIL space, but Freeman will need to build a strong infrastructure to keep players happy and attract top talent. The transfer portal has become a game-changer in roster construction, and Freeman’s ability to mine it for immediate contributors could determine how quickly Auburn returns to relevance.
Then there’s the matter of the Iron Bowl. Beating Alabama is the standard by which every Auburn coach is judged, and Freeman will be no exception. The rivalry is one of the most heated in sports, and while the Crimson Tide remain a juggernaut under Nick Saban, Auburn’s upset victories in 2013, 2017, and 2019 prove that the Tigers are capable of rising to the occasion. Freeman’s success—or failure—in this rivalry will go a long way in shaping his legacy on the Plains.
For Auburn fans, Freeman’s arrival brings a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. There’s no denying his potential—he’s been viewed as a future star in the coaching ranks for years—but the SEC is unforgiving, and the margin for error is slim. If he can translate his recruiting success to the South, assemble a strong staff, and adapt to the brutal week-to-week grind of the conference, Auburn could soon find itself back in the national conversation.
As for Freeman, this is a chance to rewrite his narrative. At Notre Dame, he was tasked with maintaining a powerhouse. At Auburn, he has the opportunity to build one. The Tigers haven’t won a national title since 2010, and while the path won’t be easy, the pieces are there: a passionate fan base, top-tier facilities, and a location in one of the most talent-rich regions in the country.
The Freeman era at Auburn begins now. The expectations are high, the challenges are immense, and the spotlight will be relentless. But if there’s one thing Marcus Freeman has shown throughout his career, it’s that he isn’t afraid of a challenge. The college football world will be watching closely to see if this gamble pays off—for both Freeman and Auburn.
