The Leadoff

The College Football National Championship game is finally coming up this Monday January 20, 2025. It honestly feels like it always takes forever to get here.  It is going to be quite the day with the Inauguration, Dr. Martin Luther King Day and the College Football Championship all on tap. The National Championship game will be featuring Notre Dame and Ohio State. It is being played in Atlanta with both coaches searching for their first National Championship title.

College Football Playoff Personal Recap

I have enjoyed the inaugural 12 team college football playoff layout and not just because my Sun Devils were electric. It is a more accurate way of figuring out what team is the best. Even though many of the games were lop sided, it was nice to watch the elite teams play more than one game together.

The most entertaining game thus far was of course Arizona State almost upsetting Texas! We had an impromptu New Year’s Day party during the Arizona State vs. Texas game and my husband / friends made watching the game so much fun!

Below is a picture of me in all my Sun Devil glory. My Uncle Brian’s old Arizona State sweatshirt – miss him and my seen better days ASU socks. Every time ASU made a play everyone yelled, Cara!! It was such a great way to kick off 2025. Too bad they played like crap first half and the uphill battle proved to be too much in the end.

The Fighting Irish

Okay, enough rambling lets focus on Monday’s championship game. I originally intended on gathering some interesting points about the teams and this particular matchup. However, Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freemen was by far the most fascinating so I will be focusing on him.

Being a daughter of a 100% Irishman I have always been a fan of the Fighting Irish. It is nice to see the team back at the helm of the ACC. Their rich history only adds to the allure of the Irish.

Notre Dame’s Head Coach – Marcus Freeman

Marcus Freeman has been making headlines as a top tier coach all season. He is young, dedicated, hardworking and has brought the spark back to South Bend. When he accepted the head coaching job in late 2021 it was the first head coaching job he ever had! Freeman was hired when he was 35 years old after just one season as the defensive coordinator there. Get this – Freeman will be facing off against his Alma Mater, the Ohio State.

Marcus Freeman was a star linebacker at Ohio State from 2004 – 2008. He was born at the Wright-Patterson air force base Medical Center in Fairborn, Ohio. He is the son of Michael Freeman, an African American and retired air force senior master sergeant. His mother is a beautiful South Korean teacher named Chong. His parents met while Michael was serving in the Air Force. They later raised their two boys in Huber Heights, Ohio. Check out the picture of his mom below, she is stunning!! Korean women have the best skin! Obviously, his wife, Joanna is gorgeous too!

Freeman generated attention when he brought back the tradition of attending game-day mass at the Basilica before their Saturday games. A tradition that was moved to Friday nights by the previous coach, Brian Kelly. Freeman thought it is one of the coolest most important things that makes Notre Dame so unique and special.

Freeman said, “What better time to be as close to God as possible than before an important game?” Him restoring this tradition really displayed his respect and understanding for Notre Dame culture. This move made many alumni and staff very happy. Check out Notre Dame’s Touchdown Jesus mural, which is right outside of the Basilica on my blog.

Marcus was so moved by the Catholic traditions he decided to convert to Catholicism just one year after becoming the head coach of Notre Dame. He was raised Christian but felt so drawn to the Catholic faith. His wife Joanna is Catholic as well.

As if this man is not busy enough, he is the father Seven children! Six with his wife Joanna and one with an ex-girlfriend. Marcus met his wife while playing at Ohio State, she was studying Journalism there at the time. Marcus makes it a point to include his children at many Notre Dame practices and events. He said he wants his players to see him as a father and husband as well as a coach. I love that! Below is a picture of their family.

THE Ohio State

I’m not an Ohio State fan, but when I lived in Arizona I met several Ohio State fans and they love their Buckeyes. They are all very loyal. Ohio State is one of those schools where you either love or hate them. Ohio State looked good against Texas with their 28-14 victory and are favored in Monday’s game.

Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day is looking from redemption after losing the Cotton Bowl last year and going down to rival Michigan earlier this season. If Day can win a National Championship all will be forgiven in Buckeye country.

I hope it is a good game. It would be exciting to see Notre Dame win their first National Championship title since 1988 when Lou Holtz led them to victory. They had a perfect 12-0 season that year and won the National Championship at the Fiesta Bowl.

Yes, Notre Dame will be attending mass before the CFP National Championship game. It will be held at the Hilton in the ballroom and Notre Dame president, Rev. Robert A. Dowd will be presiding the most important mass in years. I’m hoping to see Marscus Freeman’s hard work pay off and predicting a Notre Dame victory – Go Irish!