HOUSTON, November 9, 2026 — Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following the Fighting Irish’ 31-24 win over No. 1 Miami on Saturday.
Notre Dame jumped out to a 24-3 lead early in the third quarter and held off a second-half surge by the Hurricanes to seal the critical win.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The Notre Dame defense became the first defensive unit to hold Miami scoreless in the first quarter, allowing a season-low 145 yards to the Hurricanes in the first half. Meanwhile, CJ Carr threw for a season-high 319 yards, completing 29 of 40 passes and racking up three touchdowns.
Gilbert’s second touchdown reception gave the Fighting Irish a 24-3 advantage just three minutes into the second quarter, but the Hurricanes raced back with a pair of touchdown passes to pull to within 24-17 entering the fourth quarter. Notre Dame scored early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Nolan James Jr., which Miami answered with a short touchdown strike of its own with 9:53 remaining to pull the score to the game’s final margin.
From there, however, the Fighting Irish defense stymied the Hurricanes offense, forcing a turnover on downs on Miami’s next possession, and then forcing Miami to attempt a multi-lateral desperation play as time expired.
With the win, Notre Dame has moved to No. 3 in both the AP and AFCA Coaches polls.
The Fighting Irish return to action on Saturday, Nov. 14, hosting Boston College.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members. Freeman’s selection follows previous selections of USC’s Lincoln Riley, UCF’s Scott Frost, Auburn’s Alex Golesh, Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri’s Luke Fickell, Ole Miss’ Pete Golding, Oklahoma State Eric Morris, Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor and Memphis’ Charles Huff.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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