Newsstand: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is on Bear Bryant Coach of the Year watch list

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is one of 27 college football head coaches added to the 2024 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year watch list, which came out Wednesday. Freeman has the Fighting Irish (5-1) ranked No. 12 in the Week 8 Associated Press Poll.

The winner, bestowed the honor in January, “recognizes contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field,” per the award’s official website.

Here are all 27 of the watch list honorees, per the …

Bret Bielema – University of Illinois
Matt Campbell – Iowa State University
Jamey Chadwell – Liberty University
Curt Cignetti – Indiana University
Mario Cristobal – University of Miami
Spencer Danielson – Boise State University
Ryan Day – Ohio State University
Kalen DeBoer – University of Alabama
Kenny Dillingham – Arizona State University
Mike Elko – Texas A&M University
James Franklin – Pennsylvania State University
Marcus Freeman – University of Notre Dame
Josh Heupel – University of Tennessee
Brian Kelly – Louisiana State University
Chris Klieman – Kansas State University
Dan Lanning – University of Oregon
Rhett Lashlee – Southern Methodist University
Clark Lea – Vanderbilt University
Joey McGuire – Texas Tech University
Jeff Monken – United States Military Academy (Army)
Pat Narduzzi – University of Pittsburgh
Brian Newberry – United States Naval Academy (Navy)
Steve Sarkisian – University of Texas
Kalani Sitake – Brigham Young University
Kirby Smart – University of Georgia
Dabo Swinney – Clemson University
Bryant Vincent – University of Louisiana Monroe

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Sophomore linebacker Drayk Bowen has been a beast.

274 FBS linebackers have played at least 200 snaps this season per PFF. Notre Dame’s Drayk Bowen has the 5th-best missed tackle rate (3.3) of any of them.

Irish DC Al Golden: “He’s settling in. He’s playing faster. The games are starting to slow down for him…We’ve noticed it.” pic.twitter.com/7g2B23CaxZ

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) October 16, 2024

The Irish offense has not been lacking in creative designs, even if it’s the side of the ball Notre Dame has struggled with the most this season. Coordinator Mike Denbrock was in his bag against Stanford.

Awesome offense from Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock…

Mitchell Evans motions out to be a blocker. Jaden Greathouse is already there for that purpose.

It’s a screen to Kris Mitchell all the way. The blockers do their jobs, and Mitchell makes a man miss.

Gain of 12 for the Irish. pic.twitter.com/63huy0jKco

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) October 16, 2024

The Irish defense, meanwhile, turned in one of its best performances of the season against Stanford as well.

This is the kind of disruption we’ve been waiting to see from the Notre Dame defensive line. Howard Cross III and Bryce Young completely overwhelm the right side of the Stanford offensive line.

Cross gets the sack, but Young deserves props for his effort in blowing up the play. pic.twitter.com/uqObXyf8Ng

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) October 16, 2024

Fighting Irish quote of the day

“He is a really, really mature kid. Just all business. You don’t have to worry about any nonsense with him. It’s all about football.”

— Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden on freshman cornerback Leonard Moore

Blue & Gold headlines of the day

• How Notre Dame OL recruit Sullivan Garvin is putting Allegan High on the map
• Three things to know about the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
• On Paper: Who has the edge in every facet of Irish vs. Georgia Tech?

• In depth on 2025 QB Blake Hebert’s flip from Clemson to Notre Dame
• Fighting Irish football rewatch: Bad, good, great from Irish defense vs. Stanford
• Tale of the tape: Notre Dame offense vs. Stanford

• The Notre Dame 3-2-1: 3 numbers, 2 questions (playoff clues, injuries), 1 prediction (records fall)
• On3’s Charles Power analyzes new Notre Dame OL commit Cameron Herron
• How Notre Dame four-star OL target Gregory Patrick has shined during his junior season

• Lucky Charms: The latest on Notre Dame targets Jalen Cooper, Derek Meadows and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
• Inside the Notre Dame kicking situation with Mitch Jeter dealing with injury
• How Notre Dame DL commit Gordy Sulfsted improved before his senior season

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