PSU Coach James Franklin Wants ND Coach Marcus Freeman’s ‘Hairline’

Before their teams square off in the Orange Bowl, Penn State head coach James Franklin admitted Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is living his follicle fantasy. 

During a Wednesday, January 8, press conference ahead of the game on Thursday night, Franklin, 52, revealed football wasn’t the only thing on his mind when the two coaches addressed the media. 

“It’ll be a great game,” Franklin said. “We’re really, really excited about competing. I’m looking over here at Marcus. How old are you now, Marcus?”

“38,” Freeman said with a slight smile. 

Franklin, who is bald, responded, “I mean, I look at the hairline on this guy. Envious of his hairline in a lot of ways.”

Outside of complimenting his physical appearance, Franklin said Freeman has done “a phenomenal job” this season with the Fighting Irish, who earned a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals after wins over Indiana and Georgia.

Penn State earned its Orange Bowl trip following victories over SMU and Boise State. The winner of Thursday’s game will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the winner of Ohio State and Texas, who play each other in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, January 10. 

In guiding Notre Dame to the semifinals in his third season as head coach, Freeman has seen his notoriety explode. On Wednesday, Freeman was named the winner of the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award.

Freeman was able to celebrate his team’s Sugar Bowl win over Georgia alongside his wife, Joanna, and their six children: son Vinny, 17, daughter Siena, 12, son Gino, 11, son Nico, 9, daughter Capri, 7, and son Rocco, 6.

After the New Orleans-hosted game was delayed due to the truck attack on New Year’s Day, Freeman admitted his staff was slightly behind the eight-ball — but he fully expects his team to be ready for the challenge that Penn State poses. 

“I think the coaches, we probably were a little bit behind to start just because of the travel and in that aspect, but physically our guys were good,” Freeman told reporters on Wednesday. “Our guys were good, and we’re going to be ready to roll. But we’ve got to utilize, as you just said, every minute we have from now until tomorrow night at 7:30.”

He added, “That’s the mindset that we all have — is every minute we’ve got to utilize. We didn’t have two extra days, so let’s utilize this time that we have physically and mentally to make sure we’re prepared to go tomorrow night.”

The Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State kicks off Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.