The two will meet in the College Football Playoff semifinals with the winner becoming the first Black head coach to reach the college football title game.

Things are going very well for Marcus Freeman in his tenure with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.The 38-year-old head coach took the job in 2021 after Brian Kelly left to join LSU.

Penn State coach James Franklin and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman held their final media availability Wednesday before the Orange Bowl, where they discussed key injuries and preparing for their biggest game of the season so far. Here’s what the coaches had to say as the Orange Bowl approaches.

One head coach will make history by winning the Orange Bowl on Thursday. When Penn State-Notre Dame goes final in the College Football Playoff semifinal either James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will become the first Black head coach to lead a team into the FBS National Championship game.

College football will see its first Black head coach guide his team to the national championship game at the highest level of the game with either Penn State’s James Franklin or Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.

James Franklin and Marcus Freeman are each enjoying banner seasons leading their respective programs. On Thursday night, Franklin's Penn State team will take on Freeman's Notre Dame squad in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.