LSU head football coach Brian Kelly was the first name that came to mind for some as Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman clinched a CFP title game appearance.

Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU and a better shot at a championship, but it's Marcus Freeman and the Irish who will play for a title.

Freeman — a surprise hire in December 2021 since he had never been a head coach when Notre Dame promoted the then-defensive coordinator after Kelly bolted for LSU — hasn’t had the same problems.

Now that Notre Dame is heading to the championship, while Kelly sits at LSU with a 29-11 record after three seasons, the former Irish coach is catching some flack on social media.

Even before the Orange Bowl was played, everyone knew history would be made in the College Football Playoff title game. Whether Notre Dame or Penn State won in Miami, either Marcus Freeman or James Fr

Looking back at it now, Brian Kelly and LSU might have done Notre Dame a favor. It’s hard to argue with the results. Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish are one win away from the program’s first national championship game appearance in 12 years.

The Fighting Irish head coach has been linked with a move to the NFL in 2025 following a remarkable year, but has pushed back on that notion as his team prepares for Thursday's Orange Bowl

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are one day away from taking on Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. The Fighting Irish have been concerned with the status of star running back Jeremiyah Love after Love was banged up in last Thursday's Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.