ATLANTA (Oct. 16, 2023) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today announced that for the second time this season, Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

Freeman led the Irish to a dominating 48-20 victory over No. 10 Southern California in South Bend on Saturday. The win marked Notre Dame's most lopsided victory against a top-10 opponent since beating USC by the same margin in 1995. The Irish defense carried the team, forcing five turnovers in the game which led directly to 21 points. Notre Dame intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams three times and sacked him six times, holding the Trojans to their lowest offensive output of the season. Junior safety Xavier Watts led the way intercepting two passes and returning a fumble for a touchdown. Quarterback Sam Hartman finished 13-of-20 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Audric Estime led the rushing attack with 22 carries for 95 yards and two scores.

Earlier this season, Freeman was also named The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week after Notre Dame's impressive 42-3 win over Navy to open the season at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

"It speaks volume to the type of coaching job Marcus Freeman has already done this season to have now received this honor twice," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "This was a Bobby Dodd-style win in every way, with success in offense, defense and special teams play."

Freeman is now in his second season full as head coach at Notre Dame, having served as defensive coordinator for the Irish during the 2021 campaign. In his first season at the helm in 2022, he led Notre Dame to a 9-4 mark, including wins over four ranked teams and a Gator Bowl victory over South Carolina. Prior to his arrival in South Bend, Freeman spent the previous four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, where he was named the 2020 247Sports.com Defensive Coordinator of the Year and a 2020 Broyles Award Finalist. Freeman began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State and has previous stops as an assistant coach at Purdue University and Kent State University.

Freeman's players have had continuous success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 989 Academic Progress Rate and an 89 Graduation Success Rate during the 2022 season.  

In the community, coach Freeman and his players team up with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana every Friday before home games to deliver meals to families with children receiving care at Beacon Children's Hospital.

"In his short time at Notre Dame, coach Freeman has already proven that he is an outstanding leader of men, both on and off the field," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & President, Gary Stokan. "It's remarkable to see what he's already been able to achieve in only two short seasons of being a head coach at one of the most storied programs in the country. We're looking forward to seeing what additional milestones he reaches during his time in South Bend."

The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2023 season. The winner of the 2023 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.