This spring feels different at Notre Dame and not in a subtle way.
The program finally has something that’s been rare in recent years in real continuity, especially at the top.
With Marcus Freeman entering a pivotal 2026 season, having all three coordinators back, Mike Denbrock, Chris Ash, and Marty Biagi, changes the entire trajectory of spring ball. Instead of installing systems, Notre Dame is refining them.
Notre Dame’s true X-factor comes with having a returning quarterback in CJ Carr.
“You don't have to start back over,” stated Freeman. “To have both of those guys back, our special teams coordinator back, and then players in important positions, right? Every position's important, but obviously, the quarterback position's important – that understands the expectations, understands the terminology.
“You're able to really be developed at a different level than you were previously. We're able to do some of the football schools, the schematic things, farther ahead than we would have if it's a new coordinator.”
There has, however, been turnover on the defensive staff. Notre Dame lost Max Bullough, Mike Mickens, and Al Washington, resulting in four new position coaches on that side of the ball.
Freeman is confident in the group, which includes Jevaughn Codlin, Aaron Henry, Brian Jean-Mary, and Charlie Partridge. He noted their early impact has been driven by a commitment to both mastering the scheme and building relationships with players.
“What you've seen is them invest the time into understanding what's expected schematically in their meetings with Coach Ash, but also the investment in our players,” said Freeman.
That investment has been evident off the field as well. Even during the offseason, coaches have kept their doors open late into the evening, creating opportunities for players to meet, study film, and strengthen those connections.
“The thing I see is I walk around that office, it might be 8-9 at night, and there's players just asking their coach to meet, talking, watching film, going over different things,” Freeman explained. “It's not only making the players better through fundamentals, but also it's giving the coach a chance to learn what the players know and the expectations that he has for the players.”
Freeman’s expectations for the spring are equally elevated.
Without a bowl game or College Football Playoff appearance, Notre Dame has benefited from an extended offseason. The added time has allowed the program to accelerate its physical and mental preparation, prompting adjustments to the structure of spring practice.
“We can have more team periods,” Freeman said. “We're going to do more football. We're going to do more good on good to evaluate different things. Usually, if we go eight or nine periods, then we build up to 15, 20 periods. We feel like we've had a good eight weeks. These guys should be ready for 10, 11, 12 periods to start.
“That's all the feedback that I get with our sports performance team. You create the practice phases and you go, but we're going to have more time for football, dedicate to 11-on-11, 7-on-7, inside run drills because we feel like they're at a level that they're ready to handle that.”
Freeman also made sure to spend the last four months developing himself as a head coach. When on the recruiting trail, Freeman was seen courtside in Boston, Houston and Los Angeles.
Yes, Freeman admits those trips were for entertainment, but he also gained knowledge by talking with and watching some of the top NBA coaches and players work.
“I know a lot of people see me at those basketball games,” stated Freeman. “It's more than just sitting on the court and watching these guys play. That's entertaining for me. I get a lot out of that. But to be able to always spend time with the coaches, even some players, when I'm out recruiting, those are moments that are valuable for me.
“To be able to say, OK, give me your secret sauce. Why are you in this situation? What have you learned? Give me advice. It's a different sport, but it's still leadership. It's still making yourself better and making those around you better. Those are the things that I spend a lot of time with different people when I was on the road recruiting, depending on what city I was in. Being able to be a sponge and take notes and listen to the wisdom of a lot of successful people has helped me tremendously.”
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