Notre Dame promotes Freeman to head coach

Notre Dame elevated defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head coach following Brian Kelly's departure, the program announced Friday.

Freeman joined Notre Dame after the 2020 campaign. He previously spent four years as Cincinnati's defensive coordinator. In his first season with the Fighting Irish, Freeman's defense has allowed just 18.2 points per game, good for 11th in the FBS. The unit has also held seven of its opponents to 16 points or fewer.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees announced Wednesday that he'll remain at Notre Dame. Rees turned down an opportunity to join Kelly at LSU, Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger reports.

Notre Dame began the search for a new head coach following Kelly's shocking move to LSU after 12 years with the school. Kelly departed as the winningest head coach in the program's history with a 113-40 record.

The Fighting Irish are 11-1 and placed sixth in the latest College Football Playoff ranking.