In his early tenure as the head football coach at Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman made some candid remarks about Ohio State.

Freeman, who took on the coaching role in December 2021, expressed in a Players’ Tribune article that he wished he had chosen Notre Dame over Ohio State when he was a college player. As a linebacker for the Buckeyes from 2006 to 2008, he reflected, “I just thank God that I didn’t make the wrong decision twice.”

As he approaches his second full season with the Fighting Irish, Freeman addressed those statements on “The Pivot” podcast. Host and former NFL safety Ryan Clark inquired about the reaction he received from passionate Ohio State supporters.

“It was an enlightening experience for me. I truly needed it,” Freeman reflected. “Growth comes from learning from these lessons.”

“I think back to that article for the Players’ Tribune, where I was interviewed and they phrased it. I was addressing what I believed was a Notre Dame audience. Not considering how others, especially Ohio State fans, would interpret it. When they asked, ‘Why did you choose Notre Dame?’ I impulsively said I made a mistake. That was a poor choice of words. The only takeaway for Ohio State supporters seemed to be, ‘You regret choosing Ohio State.’ That’s not the case; those years in Columbus shaped me, and I cherish every moment.”

Freeman learned a key lesson about the importance of carefully choosing words in interviews, recognizing that messages can resonate differently with various audiences.

Since he became coach prior to the 2022 season, Freeman has made a few pointed remarks aimed at the Buckeyes.

Before Notre Dame’s season-opening loss to Ohio State, Freeman sparked conversations by questioning the academic standards at Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati. He stated, “You don’t go to class at places like that,” though he later clarified these remarks, claiming he was misquoted in response to former teammates Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel during an appearance on 97.1 The Fan.

In a recent discussion with Rivals, 2024 four-star linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa mentioned Freeman’s focus on promoting Notre Dame’s academic advantages over Ohio State in his recruiting approach.

“The main point Freeman emphasized was the value of a Notre Dame education vs. that of Ohio State,” Viliamu-Asa shared with Rivals.com. “My mother, who prioritizes academics, found his insights essential as we discussed the significance of a Notre Dame degree post-football.”

Freeman, during an interview on 97.1 The Fan in September, reiterated his pride in the two degrees he earned from Ohio State, affirming the quality of the education he received.

“I would never disrespect Ohio State,” Freeman emphasized. “I attended classes, just like you did. We were committed to our education. Those comments were never reflective of my feelings about my alma mater.”

After competing against Navy, Tennessee State, NC State, and Central Michigan, Freeman and the Fighting Irish will face Ohio State on their home turf in South Bend, Indiana. Freeman has expressed confidence, stating that they plan to win.

“Our goal is to win every game here,” Freeman stated on “The Pivot”. “That national championship has eluded us since 1988. Every season, we aim for that. I genuinely seek success for two groups: our players, who deserve it, and for our athletic director and president who have placed their trust in me. I am grateful for the support surrounding us.”

Ohio State will visit Notre Dame in South Bend at 7:30 p.m. on September 23, broadcast on NBC.

Ohio State’s 2023 Football Schedule

Check out Ohio State’s upcoming football schedule for 2023.

• Sept. 2: Ohio State vs. Indiana, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana, 3:30 p.m., CBS
• Sept. 9: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 12 p.m., Big Ten Network
• Sept. 16: Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 4 p.m., FOX
• Sept. 23: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBC
• Oct. 7: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 12 p.m. or 3:30 p.m./4 p.m.
• Oct. 14: Ohio State vs. Purdue, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana
• Oct. 21: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• Oct. 28: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
• Nov. 4: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey
• Nov. 11: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 7:30 p.m., NBC
• Nov. 18: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• Nov. 25: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 12 p.m., FOX