SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Notre Dame and coach Marcus Freeman are moving closer to a defensive hire to replace Al Golden. And that move is expected to be another coach with previous experience running a program.

Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the national championship Monday. Here are five facts.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman earned wide-spread criticism during Monday’s 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the national title game when he opted for a field goal while trailing by 16 in the fourth quarter.

Marcus Freeman spoke about his decision to kick a field goal while down 16 points to Ohio State in national championship game.

Marcus Freeman has done one of the best jobs in college football this season, leading Notre Dame to the national championship after the Fighting Irish were upset by Northern Illinois in their second game of the season.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman on Wednesday was named college football's 2024 recipient of the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

Jack Kiser walked up the tunnel toward Notre Dame ’s locker room beneath Mercedes-Benz Stadium, tears welling in his bloodshot eyes, as if the linebacker had anything else to pour out. Behind him, all the scarlet and white confetti had fallen as Ohio State ’s national championship party swayed,

The decision to hire Marcus Freeman as the head coach at Notre Dame was deemed "risky" by the man who made the hire. "It was absolutely risky to hire somebody

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images