Ohio State Football: Marcus Freeman regrets OSU comments

Marcus Freeman was a very good player for the Ohio State football program in his time. The linebacker was part of some really good teams. Now that he’s a coach, he’s learning a lot of things on the fly, especially about being a head coach at an elite program.

We told you about Freeman’s comments about Ohio State before last year’s matchup with the Buckeyes. About that Players’ Tribune piece, Freeman says he didn’t know everyone would be reading that. He thought he was just talking to Notre Dame fans.

Speaking on “The Pivot” podcast, Freeman says that he made a mistake with his comments making it seem like attending Ohio State was a mistake. He said he wouldn’t be where he is at today without those years playing for the Ohio State football program.

He’s right of course. He needed Ohio State to be where he’s at. I do believe him when he says it was something to learn from. I don’t honestly believe that he thinks attending Ohio State was a mistake. He was just trying to fire up a fanbase that has very high expectations for their team.

Freeman also saw what kind of motivation it gave the Buckeyes. Ohio State won that season-opening game by double-digits despite losing their best player in the first quarter of that game. Freeman is being careful not to make the same mistake twice before another matchup.

I don’t think that motivation will matter in this year’s matchup though. Ohio State is the better team right now and should win that game in September, even if it is at Notre Dame. It very well could feel more like a home game for the Buckeyes.

Freeman is learning on the job. I think it’s a good thing that he’s owning up to his mistakes.