As Notre Dame waited for it College Football Playoffs After the 2021 season, the company needed a new coach. Brian Kelly surprised many in the college football world when he left LSUand the Fighting Irish moved quickly to gain publicity Marcus Freeman from the defensive coordinator.

However, Kelly’s move is back in the spotlight on Thursday night. Notre Dame canceled Georgia in the sugar bowlthus ending a 31-year major drought. Freeman continues to build the Fighting Irish in his third year and FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt became aware.

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Klatt had high praise for Freeman and the work he does in South Bend. He also pointed out where Notre Dame is compared to Kelly’s departure, which he said is a credit to the culture established over the last two seasons.

“Marcus Freeman took a job that Brian Kelly ran away from and elevated it above the position he found,” Klatt wrote on X. “Well done, sir! Great leader with an outstanding culture.”

Klatt also pointed to the work Kelly took on after taking over at Notre Dame Charlie Weis. He became the winningest coach in program history, leading the Fighting Irish to two College Football Playoff appearances during his tenure.

Kelly’s decision to go to LSU, he believes, was because he wanted to compete for a national championship in the SEC. Klatt noted that he wasn’t necessarily pushing back, but rather pointing out how well Freeman was doing in his first head coaching job.

“Brian did a phenomenal job at Notre Dame,” Klatt added. “Many, including myself, didn’t disagree with his premise…Marcus simply went to work and built something special.”

Inside Notre Dame’s transformation under Marcus Freeman

Marcus Freeman’s first game as Notre Dame’s head coach took place at Fiesta Bowl. The Fighting Irish saw a halftime lead against them disappear Oklahoma State as the bowl drought continued.

Then he immediately set off. Notre Dame’s last three recruiting classes ranked No. 6, 10 and 11 in the country, according to national data On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. After this year’s early signing period, the Irish are currently ranked 12th in the nation.

At the same time, Notre Dame is on the rise on the field. The Fighting Irish posted a 9-4 record in their first season in 2022 and a 10-3 record in 2023. That raised expectations for 2024, with ambitions for the College Football Playoff.

Now Notre Dame is in the CFP semifinals after back-to-back wins Indiana and Georgia as part of a 12-game winning streak. Thursday’s victory was also the Fighting Irish’s second victory over a ranked SEC team this year, one more than Kelly’s LSU team had en route to an 8-4 record.