11/10/2026 9:25:00 AM | The Dodd Trophy
Freeman receives honor after victory over top-ranked Miami in South Bend
ATLANTA (Nov. 10, 2026) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.
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 and the Irish built a 24-3 lead before holding off a second-half rally to secure a 31-24 victory over No. 1 Miami in South Bend. Starting quarterback CJ Carr led Notre Dame on offense, completing 29 of his 40 attempts for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Micah Gilbert enjoyed one of his best performances of the season, hauling in nine catches for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. After the Hurricanes cut the lead to 24-17 with a pair of third quarter touchdowns, Nolan James Jr. swung momentum back to the Fighting Irish with a 1-yard touchdown run. On the defensive side of the ball, it was defensive back Luke Talich who came up big for Notre Dame, as he knocked a potential game-tying touchdown catch out of the hands of a Miami receiver on fourth-and-goal with less than three minutes to play.
Though the game is no longer an annual occurrence as it was in the 1970s and 80s, Notre Dame and Miami have a historic rivalry dating back to 1955, with the Fighting Irish now leading the all-time series 19-9-1. Saturday night marked Freeman's first victory over the rival Hurricanes, and improved Notre Dame's home record in the series to 10-1 all-time.
Honored in 2024 as the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year, Freeman has enjoyed success on and off the field throughout his tenure as coach of the Irish. Saturday's victory marked his 51st in just his fifth season at the helm. Freeman's teams have finished inside the AP Top 15 with double-digit wins in each of the last three seasons. Notre Dame's victory over Miami marked the 17th and highest-ranked victory of Freeman's tenure.
"Coach Freeman's position comes with some of the highest expectations in the nation," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "In his fifth year, Coach Freeman continues to not only meet those expectations but exceed them. We look forward to seeing what else the Fighting Irish will accomplish under his leadership."
Off the football field, Notre Dame players have had success in the classroom under Freeman, recording a perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate and a 98 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
In the community, Freeman and the Irish have teamed up with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana to deliver meals every Friday before home games to families whose children are receiving care at Beacon Children's Hospital. Freeman was also an integral part of reviving the "Cleats for a Cause" initiative that centers around several of his players representing five local charities on special-edition Under Armour Slip Speed shoes, which are then auctioned off to raise money for those charities.
"Coach Freeman has been part of the Dodd coaching fraternity since winning the award two seasons ago," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "When you see first-hand the impact that Coach Freeman has on his players, his staff and the community in South Bend, it reinforces the decision we made."
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, 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. 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.
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 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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 and the Irish built a 24-3 lead before holding off a second-half rally to secure a 31-24 victory over No. 1 Miami in South Bend. Starting quarterback CJ Carr led Notre Dame on offense, completing 29 of his 40 attempts for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Micah Gilbert enjoyed one of his best performances of the season, hauling in nine catches for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. After the Hurricanes cut the lead to 24-17 with a pair of third quarter touchdowns, Nolan James Jr. swung momentum back to the Fighting Irish with a 1-yard touchdown run. On the defensive side of the ball, it was defensive back Luke Talich who came up big for Notre Dame, as he knocked a potential game-tying touchdown catch out of the hands of a Miami receiver on fourth-and-goal with less than three minutes to play.
Though the game is no longer an annual occurrence as it was in the 1970s and 80s, Notre Dame and Miami have a historic rivalry dating back to 1955, with the Fighting Irish now leading the all-time series 19-9-1. Saturday night marked Freeman's first victory over the rival Hurricanes, and improved Notre Dame's home record in the series to 10-1 all-time.
Honored in 2024 as the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year, Freeman has enjoyed success on and off the field throughout his tenure as coach of the Irish. Saturday's victory marked his 51st in just his fifth season at the helm. Freeman's teams have finished inside the AP Top 15 with double-digit wins in each of the last three seasons. Notre Dame's victory over Miami marked the 17th and highest-ranked victory of Freeman's tenure.
"Coach Freeman's position comes with some of the highest expectations in the nation," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "In his fifth year, Coach Freeman continues to not only meet those expectations but exceed them. We look forward to seeing what else the Fighting Irish will accomplish under his leadership."
Off the football field, Notre Dame players have had success in the classroom under Freeman, recording a perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate and a 98 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
In the community, Freeman and the Irish have teamed up with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana to deliver meals every Friday before home games to families whose children are receiving care at Beacon Children's Hospital. Freeman was also an integral part of reviving the "Cleats for a Cause" initiative that centers around several of his players representing five local charities on special-edition Under Armour Slip Speed shoes, which are then auctioned off to raise money for those charities.
"Coach Freeman has been part of the Dodd coaching fraternity since winning the award two seasons ago," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "When you see first-hand the impact that Coach Freeman has on his players, his staff and the community in South Bend, it reinforces the decision we made."
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, 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. 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.
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 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Thursday, March 26
Tuesday, January 28
Thursday, September 12
Friday, May 05
