In a surprising turn of events, Notre Dame football has found itself on the brink of claiming its first national championship since 1988. This remarkable achievement comes as a stark contrast to the path taken by former coach Brian Kelly, who left the Fighting Irish for LSU in 2022 with aspirations of securing a national title. Despite initial success at LSU, Kelly has yet to reach the College Football Playoff (CFP) or win a national championship. Meanwhile, his successor, Marcus Freeman, has led Notre Dame through a series of impressive victories, including key wins over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State, positioning the team for potential glory.
Kelly's decision to leave Notre Dame was driven by a desire to compete at the highest level. At the time, he expressed his ambition to be in an environment where he could pursue a national championship. However, two years into his tenure at LSU, Kelly has not managed to replicate the playoff appearances he achieved at Notre Dame. The Tigers posted a solid start with back-to-back 10-win seasons but have since slipped to a 9-4 record this year, falling short of CFP contention.
The contrast between Kelly's experiences at LSU and Freeman's progress at Notre Dame has been particularly evident during the postseason. Freeman, who took over as head coach following Kelly's departure, faced early challenges, including an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois. Nevertheless, Freeman's leadership has been instrumental in guiding Notre Dame to three consecutive playoff victories. The team's resilience and determination were on full display in their gritty 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
ESPN commentator Paul Finebaum highlighted the irony of Kelly's decision during a recent broadcast. He pointed out that Notre Dame had not reached a national championship game since 2012 when Kelly himself led the team to a significant defeat against Alabama. Finebaum noted that Kelly's statement about leaving Notre Dame to win a national title at LSU now seems poorly timed, especially given Freeman's success in bringing the team back to prominence. While the Cotton Bowl winner will likely be favored in the upcoming matchup with Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish's journey from a mid-season upset to the cusp of a national title is nothing short of extraordinary.
As Notre Dame prepares for the final showdown in Atlanta on January 20th, the team's resurgence under Freeman has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. The Irish have demonstrated remarkable consistency and grit, overcoming setbacks to position themselves as serious contenders for the national championship. Whether they can secure the elusive title remains to be seen, but their performance this season has already rewritten part of the program's storied history.