Notre Dame capped off the season with a 14-2 record. They entered the national title game on a 13-game win streak, with wins over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State in the College Football Playoff. Following a historic year for the Fighting Irish, Freeman was announced as the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year.

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25