Marcus Freeman isn’t just chasing victories, he’s upholding a legacy. The Notre Dame head coach’s path was forged by his father, Michael’s discipline and his mother, Chong’s sacrifices. Growing up with an African-American father and a Korean mother, Freeman drew strength from that diverse foundation to shape his toughness, honesty, and ambition. And the result? This background fueled him to make history last season as the first Black coach to lead a team in the FBS national championship. Will this same grit give his team the edge over his first opponent of 2025?

The story begins in the 1970s, when Michael Freeman was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea with the Air Force. There, he met Chong , who would become his wife in 1977. Two years later, they settled in Abilene, Texas, t

See Full Page