Notre Dame Coaches Ivey and Freeman Forge Unique Bond Amid Historic Seasons

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — When Marcus Freeman was promoted to head football coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey wanted to congratulate him. Before she could reach out, Freeman beat her to it, texting her first. That initial exchange marked the beginning of a unique friendship and professional bond between two trailblazing coaches navigating similar challenges at one of college sports’ most storied institutions.

Freeman, now in his fourth season, will lead the Fighting Irish football team in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday night against Ohio State in Atlanta. He is the first Black head coach to reach the title game, aiming to secure Notre Dame’s first football championship since 1988. Meanwhile, Ivey’s women’s basketball team, ranked No. 3 in the AP poll, is poised for its own national title run this spring.

Both coaches share striking parallels. They are former college and professional athletes, first-time head coaches, and young Black leaders in programs where Black players dominate but Black coaches are underrepresented. They also stepped into roles previously held by legendary coaches: Ivey succeeded Muffet McGraw, who won 848 games and two national titles, while Freeman took over from Brian Kelly, who amassed 92 wins.

“I understand the magnitude. I understand the heaviness of that job,” Ivey said of their shared experiences. “You’re not out here on an island by yourself. You have a lot of love and support. People want to see you win.”

Since their first meeting, Ivey and Freeman have leaned on each other through the highs and lows of their coaching journeys. Ivey has attended football practices, while Freeman has been a regular at women’s basketball games, often sitting courtside with his family. Last season, Ivey even invited Freeman to address her team in the locker room after a game.

Their support extends beyond the sidelines. When Notre Dame’s football team suffered an early-season upset loss to Northern Illinois, Ivey texted Freeman, reminding him that setbacks can fuel future success. Similarly, Freeman reached out to Ivey after her team endured back-to-back losses in November, offering encouragement during a challenging stretch.

“Sometimes only coaches know what coaches go through,” Freeman said. “If I can text her after a big win, I do, but more than anything, I make sure to reach out to her after a difficult loss.”

Their mutual support has paid dividends. Ivey, in her fifth season, boasts a 105-34 record and became the fastest coach in ACC history to reach 100 wins. Freeman, with a 33-9 record, has led the football team to its first national championship appearance in over three decades.

Ivey will be in the stands Monday night to cheer on Freeman and the Fighting Irish. “It shows who we are,” she said. “At Notre Dame, we don’t just talk about being family. We really, truly are.”

As Freeman aims for a historic football title, Ivey’s basketball team is also chasing glory. The Fighting Irish women’s team, led by stars Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles, is 16-2 overall and 7-0 in the ACC. After a dominant 88-64 win over SMU on Sunday, Ivey praised her team’s defensive intensity and offensive execution.

“We focused on taking care of the ball after having more turnovers than we wanted in the last game, and I thought that helped our offense execute a lot better,” Ivey said.

With both programs thriving, the bond between Ivey and Freeman continues to strengthen, serving as a testament to the power of camaraderie and shared purpose at Notre Dame.