One day ahead of Notre Dame’s showdown with Georgia in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, Irish football coach Marcus Freeman has been named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year for the first time.

The Dodd Trophy honors the head football coach whose program embodies the award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field throughout the season.

“Being named The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year is very humbling as Coach Dodd is such a legend in our sport,” Freeman said in a press release. “I am accepting this award on behalf of our entire program as it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches and support staff. At Notre Dame, we emphasize some of the same pillars that Coach Dodd did: Scholarship, Leadership and Integrity. I am proud of the way the men and women in our program embody those values.”

The Dodd Trophy was first given out in 1976. Freeman is the 2nd Notre Dame coach to win the award. Brian Kelly was the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year in 2018.

Notre Dame is 12-1 and will face Georgia Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans with a spot in the CFP Semifinals on the line.

The Dodd Trophy recognized Freeman’s efforts in leading the Irish football players to excel in the classroom as well as the impact Freeman has made on the local Michiana community.

Freeman’s work at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana to deliver meals every Friday before home games to families whose children are receiving care at Beacon Children’s Hospital is well documented. Freeman was also an integral part of reviving the “Cleats for a Cause” initiative  visiting local schools such as St. Adalbert Catholic School in South Bend, where he surprised students with tickets to the spring football game, and speaking at philanthropic events, such as Erin’s House for Grieving Children, which supports families who have experienced a death. For all his work in the community, Freeman was honored at the beginning of the season by being the only head coach named to the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Winners of the award from the previous two years and first-year coaches at an institution are not eligible to win the award.