SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman, the winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy, has earned selection to the award’s 2025 midseason watch list. The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.
Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field. Freeman is one of two Dodd Trophy winners on the watch list, joining Brian Kelly (2018).
Notre Dame (5-2) is ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press poll, and No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Irish have impressed in all three phases, as they rank first nationally in blocked punts allowed (1), 18th in blocked punts (1), second in interceptions gained (13), second in kickoff returns (33.91), sixth in turnovers gained (15), eighth in passing yards per completion (14.56), eighth in turnover margin (1.14), 11th in scoring offense (39.1), 12th in team passing efficiency (167.80), 11th in net punting (43.88), 20th in first downs (166), 21st in total offense (462.1) and 21st in rushing defense (100.7).
Freeman, now 38-12 as a head coach, has led the Irish to five-consecutive wins, most recently a 34-24 rivalry win over No. 20 USC, in which Notre Dame rushed for 306 yards while limiting USC to just 68 rushing yards. Several Notre Dame student-athletes have earned national honors for their performances so far this season, including sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore, a midseason All-American by several outlets; junior running back Jeremiyah Love, earning second-team midseason nods and several national weekly nods; junior offensive lineman Aamil Wagner, a member of the AFCA Allstate Good Works team and a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year; freshman quarterback CJ Carr, one of the nation’s top young quarterbacks; and several others.
Freeman entered the 2025 season after leading Notre Dame to a National Championship appearance and a 14-2 record in 2024, with a final Associated Press ranking of No. 2. He was honored with several coaching awards during the 2024 season, including: the Dodd Trophy; the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award; the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award; the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches College Coach of the Year honor; the Ted Ginn Sr. Coach of the Year Award from the National Alliance of African American Athletes; and the honorary head coach for the 2024 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team.