Notre Dame Football Coach Vows to "Leave No Doubt" After Playoff Snub

Marcus Freeman says the Fighting Irish must dominate to avoid another controversial exclusion from the College Football Playoff.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:03pm

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Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman opened up about the team's controversial exclusion from the 2025 College Football Playoff, vowing that the Fighting Irish will "leave no doubt" moving forward. Freeman said Notre Dame "left doubt" with the playoff committee last season, and the priority now is to leave no doubt through dominant performances in 2026.

Why it matters

Notre Dame was one of the top teams in the country last season but was left out of the playoff due to a tiebreaker with Miami. The snub was controversial and left the Fighting Irish feeling they had unfinished business. Freeman's comments suggest the team is highly motivated to prove they belong in the playoff this year.

The details

Notre Dame returns a loaded roster in 2026, led by standout sophomore quarterback CJ Carr. The Fighting Irish also have continuity on their coaching staff, with all three coordinators returning. Freeman said the staff's familiarity will allow them to focus on helping the program "reach its full potential" through various means, from meetings to training.

  • The Fighting Irish lost their first two games of the 2025 season but then won out, putting them in contention for the College Football Playoff.
  • Notre Dame was ultimately left out of the playoff due to a tiebreaker with Miami, a controversial decision that has fueled the team heading into 2026.

The players

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team, who is determined to lead the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff after they were snubbed last season.

CJ Carr

The standout sophomore quarterback for Notre Dame, who had a fantastic freshman season and will be a key player for the Fighting Irish in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We left doubt. So don't blame somebody else for the situation that we were in. We have to leave no doubt. In order to do that, you gotta leave no doubt today.”

— Marcus Freeman, Head Coach, Notre Dame Football (On3)

What’s next

The Fighting Irish will look to leave no doubt in 2026 and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, after being controversially left out last season.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's playoff snub last season has clearly left a chip on the team's shoulder, and Coach Freeman is determined to ensure his squad leaves no doubt about their worthiness this year. The Fighting Irish have the talent and continuity to make a strong playoff push, and their motivation to prove the committee wrong could make them one of the most formidable teams in the country.