In the landscape of college football, coaching rankings have always sparked passionate debates, particularly when it comes to who occupies the top spot. For the 2024-25 season, a surprising shift has occurred, with Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman rising to the rank of the number-one coach in the nation, surpassing Ohio State’s Ryan Day. This ranking, if true, signifies a monumental shift in the college football coaching hierarchy and has certainly ignited controversy across fanbases and analysts alike.
Marcus Freeman’s rise to the top is not only a testament to his coaching acumen but also a reflection of the growing impact he’s had at Notre Dame. Freeman, having taken over the Fighting Irish in 2022, has steadily transformed the program into a national contender. His leadership has been marked by a blend of strategic innovation, relentless recruiting, and a deep understanding of the game’s evolving nature. Under his tutelage, Notre Dame has consistently outperformed expectations, making it a force in the competitive world of college football. By 2024, Freeman had led Notre Dame to multiple high-ranking bowl games and, perhaps most notably, had established the team as a perennial challenger to the College Football Playoff.
What sets Freeman apart from Ryan Day, who has long been seen as one of the top coaches in the sport, is his ability to adapt to both offensive and defensive nuances. While Day’s Ohio State program remains a powerhouse with an offensive juggernaut, Freeman’s Notre Dame is a more balanced team, excelling on both sides of the ball. Notre Dame’s defense has been elite under Freeman, holding up against some of the most high-powered offenses in college football. His emphasis on both sides of the football has allowed the Irish to remain competitive in a conference dominated by high-scoring offenses, forcing opponents to respect every aspect of his team’s game plan.
Ryan Day, however, is not without his accomplishments. Under Day, Ohio State has consistently been a contender in the Big Ten, and they have competed in the College Football Playoff multiple times. His offensive expertise has reshaped the program, ensuring a top-tier quarterback pipeline and prolific wide receiver corps. Despite this success, Day has often been criticized for his inability to win crucial matchups, particularly against Michigan in recent years. This failure to claim the Big Ten title and secure a national championship has placed Day under increasing scrutiny, especially in comparison to coaches who have elevated their teams beyond expectations.
Freeman’s rise to number one, therefore, is not just about his success at Notre Dame but also the perceived stagnation at Ohio State under Ryan Day. Where Day has often faltered in the big games, Freeman’s Notre Dame has surged, developing into a team that can win under pressure and evolve with every season. While Day continues to be a dominant force, Freeman’s ability to adapt and grow Notre Dame into a more complete and resilient team is what has made the difference for voters ranking the top coaches.
Yet, this ranking of Freeman above Day is not without its critics. Many argue that Freeman’s success has largely been fueled by the strength of his defense and the powerful tradition of Notre Dame football, while Day’s offensive prowess remains the gold standard. Furthermore, Day’s Ohio State teams have been the ones that have consistently challenged for national titles, even if they have come up short. The comparisons between Freeman and Day should not be reduced to simplistic arguments about offense vs. defense. Ohio State’s consistent presence in the national conversation still holds weight, and Day’s track record cannot be dismissed so easily.
In the end, the debate surrounding Freeman’s ascension to the top spot and Day’s placement below him is a reflection of the shifting nature of college football itself. Coaching rankings, by their very nature, are subjective and influenced by team performance, player development, and sheer individual coaching brilliance. Freeman’s rise to the number-one spot is a bold statement about the future of Notre Dame football, while Ryan Day’s position at number two is a reminder that his program still sits firmly in the elite echelon of college football. Whether Freeman will maintain this top spot or if Day will regain his place at the summit remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the coaching world is more competitive than ever.
