Marcus Freeman makes history as the first Black coach to lead a team to the college football championship

Marcus Freeman has made history as the first Black coach to lead a team to the College Football Championship.

Notre Dame win

Freeman, 39, and Notre Dame defeated Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl semifinal game on Thursday, Jan. 9. The Fighting Irish will be heading to the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

Marcus Freeman makes history

The head coach, whose father is Black and mother is South Korean, according to CBS, is also the first head coach of Asian descent to lead his team in the college football national title game.

After Notre Dame’s semifinal victory, Freeman said in his postgame interview that he’s honored by the opportunity, adding, “I’ve said this before: I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team.”

Statement on the win

“It is an honor, and I hope all coaches — Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people — continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this,” Freeman continued.

“But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”