Today, players enjoy unprecedented power, autonomy, and financial rewards, leading to diminished control for coaches. This shift is particularly difficult for those who thrive on authority and unrestricted decision-making.

In sharp contrast, Marcus Freeman represents a hopeful perspective amidst this challenging landscape. The 39-year-old head coach of Notre Dame is rapidly accelerating his career while steering this traditional powerhouse back to relevance. He is leading a fresh wave of young coaches who are making their mark on college football.

If Freeman’s Fighting Irish triumph over Ohio State on Monday in Atlanta, he will become the youngest coach to win a national title since Danny Ford, who was just 33 when he led Clemson to championship glory in 1981.

In the 21st century, Urban Meyer was 42 when he captured his first national championship at Florida, while Bob Stoops was 40 when he won his only title at Oklahoma.

Freeman, alongside Ohio State’s Ryan Day, who is 45, represents the youngest coaching duo in a national championship game since the start of the Bowl Championship Series in the 1998 season.

Both Freeman and Day foster meaningful relationships with their players, even in this increasingly transactional era of the sport.

So, is it indeed a tough time to coach college football? Perhaps it’s only painful for those clinging to a bygone era that is unlikely to return.

Marcus Freeman on Ryan Day: The Youthful Shift in College Football Playoff

Coaches in their 30s and 40s have seized upon the current moment, and this is just one example of a broader trend.

As the older generation of college football coaching steps back, retires, or takes buyout packages and leaves the profession, a new generation is stepping into their shoes.

When the College Football Playoff commenced last month, the average age of the 12 head coaches from the qualifying teams was 45½ years old.

At 63, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti is the eldest, while Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, at just 34, is the youngest among the playoff-qualifying coaches in their 30s.

It’s time for boomers to step aside, or at least take a break, as millennials have clearly established their presence in this era of college football.

Freeman’s rise demonstrates that a coach at a program rich in resources and tradition can quickly progress from an unknown newcomer to a highly sought-after figure.

Will he stay at Notre Dame or chase the Chicago Bears job in the NFL?

Freeman is now in a position to choose his future path. The Chicago Bears, located just a short drive on I-90 from Notre Dame, are reportedly interested in interviewing Freeman for their open head coach position, according to the NFL Network.

Recently, Notre Dame extended Freeman’s contract through the 2030 season. Although his salary isn’t publicly available due to the private nature of the university, he is believed to be amongst the highest-paid coaches in the nation.

Freeman recently downplayed his connection to the NFL rumors, asserting, “I don’t think we have anything to worry about,” during an interview with ESPN.

Freeman truly has nothing to stress over. He holds all the cards.

Whether he opts to remain at Notre Dame or leap to the NFL, he’s in a favorable position. However, revitalizing the Bears may present a more daunting task than maintaining success at Notre Dame. Just ask the number of coaches who failed to match Lovie Smith’s success. Freeman should carefully consider this decision.

In South Bend, he continues to be the admired coach who has made Notre Dame, a historically divisive program in college football, more appealing to the public. His charming looks likely contribute to this perception, along with his composed demeanor that significantly contrasts with that of Brian Kelly, his passionate prefessor.

Regardless of what Kelly suggested when he left for LSU, Notre Dame remains a prestigious coaching position, and the university has adapted to the changes in college football.

While Notre Dame may not dominate headlines as the “Portal King,” several transfer players—including quarterback Riley Leonard, kicker Mitch Jeter, and impactful defensive lineman RJ Oben—have played pivotal roles in the team’s progress. Freeman has been instrumental in shaping a new version of Notre Dame, one that embraces NIL and high-impact transfers.

As former Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick noted, “I saw almost an advantage in having someone who wasn’t set in their ways as a head coach,” recognizing the necessity to adjust to the changing landscape of the sport.

Swarbrick took a chance on hiring an inexperienced head coach, and although questions lingered as recent as September about Freeman’s performance, he and the Irish turned things around after a shocking loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. This disappointing outcome, combined with Freeman’s previous losses to Marshall and Stanford, highlighted challenges that placed the Irish in unexpected trouble.

However, Freeman and his coaching staff recovered brilliantly, sealing their journey with a convincing Orange Bowl win over Penn State.

The day before that College Football Playoff semifinal, Penn State’s coach James Franklin, at 52, lightheartedly referenced Freeman’s youth and impressive hairline before praising his coaching talent. Freeman, using those playful remarks as motivation, has propelled his team to a level that even Penn State’s experienced coach has yet to achieve.

With just one more victory, Freeman will solidify his status as the quintessential figure in college football’s millennial era.

Blake Toppmeyer is the national college football columnist. Follow him on X @btoppmeyer.