Libertus was named to the prestigious coach of the year list
Coach Marcus Freeman is being considered for a major award based on his performance on the sideline for the US LBM Coaches Poll No. 8 Notre Dame this season.
Libertus was named to the 2026 Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Year Watch List. The award is named after the legendary College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Alabama to six national titles throughout his career.
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Awards are given each January to college football for “contributions that make life better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating surgical, integrity and winning access to education and life – both on and off the field,” according to the description.
Recipient of the “Bears” Bryant Award in 2024, Freeman received the George Munger Award and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honors in the same year.
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars at halftime at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars at halftime at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against Notre Dame Fighting Irish midfield running back LaVell Edwards.
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars at midfield at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a tackle to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at halftime at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
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Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks up a pass during the first half of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds up a sign during the second half against the Brigham Cougars at Allegiant Stadium.
(Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports)
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Preston King’s Brigham Young Cougars running back Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah.
(Chris Gardner, Getty Images)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars at halftime at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Cougars over the middle of Edward LaVell’s field. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Cougars at midfield at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Cougars at halftime at Edwards LaVell Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can’t catch Brigham Cougars Young in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Notre Dame’s loss to BYU
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
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Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Amet Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
(Rob Gray, Image via Reuters Connect)
Libertus led the Fighting Irish to a 6-1 record. Notre Dame is also ranked No. 4 in the latest Associated Press rankings and ranked No. 2.
According to Notre Dame athletes, Freeman led an Irish squad that now leads the country in total defense, allowing just 235 yards per game. Notre Dame also gave up 67.3 rushing yards a game, which is third-best in the nation, and allowed the fifth-fewest points (13.4).
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On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s offense is sixth in the nation in scoring (41.1 points per game) and has a 194 point differential, which is second best overall.
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This article first appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Libertus was named to the prestigious coach of the year list
