SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman earned wide-spread criticism during Monday’s 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the national title game when he opted for a field goal while trailing by 16 in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman on Wednesday was named college football's 2024 recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman won a major award after leading the Fighting Irish to the National Championship game

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman felt more comfortable talking about the national championship his players had a chance to win Monday night than the history attached to it had they pulled it off.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had an incredible season, going 11-1 to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff as the No. 7 seed. They went on an impressive

Marcus Freeman ripped on social media for questionable decisions in national championship game against Ohio State.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman is shouldering the blame for the Irish 34-23 loss to Ohio State in Monday night's College Football Playoff National Championship. Notre Dame fell into a 24-point hole against the Buckeyes midway through the third quarter that Freeman said was the result of uncharacteristic mistakes in communication for which he takes all the blame.

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman has been married to his wife, Joanna Freeman, since 2010 and share six children