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ATLANTA – They will be opponents on Monday, but for James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, it will be a brief pause in a deep friendship.
Their bond formed as Ohio State linebackers two decades ago. Freeman was the new Notre Dame coach when he gave Laurinaitis his first coaching job as a graduate assistant in 2022.
Laurinaitis is now the Buckeyes’ first-year linebackers coach whose team will face Freeman’s Fighting Irish in Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game.
Ohio State linebackers Marcus Freeman, left, and James Laurinaitis play video games at Laurinaitis’ apartment in 2009.
“We talked this week,” Laurinaitis said Saturday. “We’re trying to make it like, Ohio State’s going to win another one, or Notre Dame is going to win another one. From a friend standpoint, you’re proud of him and the job he’s done.
“I’m excited to see him before the game. Then once that ball gets kicked off, everything goes to, ‘How is your unit playing and how do you need to adjust within the game?’ But what an awesome blessing. How many people get to say they’re going against their really good friend in the natty?”
More: When do the Ohio State Buckeyes play in the National Championship
Freeman had a similar outlook.
James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman as teammates at Ohio State in 2007.
“He was in my wedding and I was in his wedding,” he said. “Those are special moments, obviously. We had some great moments when we worked together here at Notre Dame. It’s a unique situation where a guy you’re working with is one of your best friends.
“He’s a friend, and at the end of the day you care about friends. But when the game starts, the game starts. It’s going to be about winning.”
More: When do the Ohio State Buckeyes play in the National Championship
Laurinaitis was an under-the-radar recruit from Minnesota best known for…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/friendship-endures-ohio-state-footballs-194126844.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2025-01-18 19:41:00
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