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College Football Hot Seat: 4 Coaches who must win in Week 3

By Sonny Martinez

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on during the first half of the spring game at Kyle Field on April 24, 2021 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Texas A&M Aggies looks on during the first half of the spring game at Kyle Field on April 24, 2021 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads his team onto the field for the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads his team onto the field for the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Freeman: vs Cal

Cal’s primary strength in the Justin Wilcox era has been its defense. Sure, you’ll get some yards, but the points just don’t come with it.

That doesn’t sound good for Notre Dame, who possesses an inept offense that just lost it’s starting quarterback. No other Notre Dame coach has ever started 0-3. But possibly going 0-4? Ouch.

This isn’t going to nearly as easy as Notre Dame fans think. Cal’s defense is going to be rough on the Irish and new (again) starting quarterback Drew Pyne. Irish OC Tommy Rees needs to get the offense on track, as the offense has struggled to move the ball against both Ohio State and Marshall. Rees’ refusal to be aggressive has played a major role in the 0-2 start. That start ultimately comes back to Freeman.

Admittedly, two of the winningest coaches in Notre Dame history also had awful starts: Brian Kelly went 1-3 and Lou Holtz was 1-4. The other two, Bob Davie and Gerry Faust, weren’t nearly as successful.

The jury’s still out on which side Freeman will end on. A loss to Cal and Freeman might not get a chance to prove himself.

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