SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – While Michiana is dealing with snow, the Notre Dame baseball team is preparing to kick off its season this weekend — not in South Bend, but down in sunny Florida.
The Fighting Irish are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 27-25 overall record and going 9-21 in ACC play. However, a fresh start is on the horizon with a youthful roster that includes 15 freshmen eager to help turn things around.
“Obviously, we don’t like to dwell on the past, but last year’s results weren’t what we wanted,” said senior outfielder Brady Gumpf. “It’s great having a new group with fresh faces, but our goals haven’t changed. We all want to get to Omaha. That’s the ultimate destination. For now, we’re focused on motivating, trusting, and helping each other take one step at a time, starting with the ACC Tournament and then aiming for the NCAA Tournament.”
Notre Dame opens its season on Friday against North Florida. The ACC portion of the schedule won’t begin until March, giving this new-look roster some time to gel.
“It’s all about building momentum,” said head coach Shawn Stiffler. “We need to keep building momentum in our work and daily habits. We’ve talked a lot about staying focused and keeping faith. To borrow a line from Marcus Freeman — belief without knowing. Stick to the process, trust what we know works, and have faith that it will pay off in the end.”
Notre Dame has announced a multiyear contract extension for head coach Marcus Freeman, now in his third season. Freeman will lead the fifth-ranked Fighting Irish (11-1) in their College Football Playoff matchup against 10th-seeded Indiana on Friday night.
In his statement, Freeman expressed gratitude to Notre Dame President Rev. Bob Dowd, athletic director Pete Bevacqua, and Board of Trustees chair John Veihmeyer. He emphasized that their investment in the program benefits both players and staff, ensuring the team remains competitive at the highest level of college football.
NBC Sports reported that Freeman’s new deal includes a substantial pay raise, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the sport. Additionally, reports indicate a significant boost in salary for his assistant coaching staff.
Freeman’s contract extension adds four years to his previous deal, which had two years remaining, keeping him with Notre Dame through the 2030 season.
Coaching Achievements and Speculation
Freeman, 38, earned $6.69 million in his first season as head coach in 2022, according to federal tax records from May 2024. While this kept him just outside the top 25 highest-paid college football coaches, Notre Dame, as a private institution, does not publicly disclose employment contracts.
Promoted to head coach in December 2021 after one season as defensive coordinator, Freeman replaced Brian Kelly following his departure to LSU. Over three seasons, Freeman has compiled a 30-9 record, including a 10-game winning streak following an early-season upset loss to Northern Illinois. Notre Dame, currently the seventh seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, is aiming for its first national title since 1988.
Freeman’s name has surfaced in coaching rumors, particularly regarding Ohio State and the Chicago Bears. A native of Huber Heights, Ohio, Freeman played linebacker for Ohio State (2004-08) before being drafted by the Bears in 2009. With Ohio State’s Ryan Day under scrutiny and the Bears parting ways with head coach Matt Eberflus, speculation has linked Freeman to both jobs.
Addressing the rumors, Freeman downplayed any focus on the future. “I try not to waste time on uncertainty,” he said on Nov. 21. “I tell my players the same thing: ‘Your future is uncertain.’ Right now, my focus is on the present and preparing this team.”
