Marcus Freeman describes relationship with James Laurinaitis ahead of Notre Dame vs. Ohio State

Marcus Freeman and James Laurinaitis go back a ways when the two played at Ohio State together.

Both former linebackers, Freeman and Laurinaitis anchored a Buckeyes defense that went to back to back BCS National Championship games. They’ve maintained a close relationship since then.

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Freeman was asked about his relationship with his former teammate, since the two will be on opposite sidelines Monday night. Laurinaitis is currently a linebackers coach for Ohio State.

“I think there’s so many moments when you play together,” Freeman said Sunday. “But he was in my wedding and I was in his wedding. Those are special moments, obviously the days you get married. But we had some great moments when we worked together here at Notre Dame. It’s a unique situation where a guy you’re working with is one of your best friends.

“We’ve got a lot of great moments and probably some that I won’t share on this press conference, but he’s a great friend.”

Ironically, Freeman was Laurinaitis’ boss in 2022 when the latter was a grad assistant with Notre Dame. Laurinaitis eventually went back to Ohio State in 2023, also as a grad assistant until his promotion to linebacker’s coach this season.

Freeman and Laurinaitis took different paths after the 2008 season at Ohio State. Freeman’s enlarged heart condition had him pivot to coaching early following practice squad stints in 2009 while Laurinaitis played in the NFL from 2009-16.

He played for the St. Louis Rams from 2009-15 and the New Orleans Saints in 2016, leading the NFL in tackles in 2012.

In college, Freeman was a two-time Second-Team All-Big Ten player while Laurinaitis was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and won the Jack Lambert Trophy twice, the Butkus Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Lott Trophy.

So it’ll certainly be interesting perspectives for Freeman, who operates the entire Notre Dame ship and Laurinaitis focuses on one position.

Either way, Notre Dame and Ohio State both have one game left to finish on top this college football season. The relationship between the former teammates will always be there, but the competitive spirit will be alive and well in Atlanta.

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