Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media ahead of Thursday’s fall camp opener, and one topic stood out above the rest: the Fighting Irish’s well-documented September struggles.

Freeman’s answer about slow starts provided a window into how Notre Dame attacked the entire offseason, and the actions behind his words should give fans real confidence heading into the 2026 season. The September woes are something he has been thinking about.

Freeman reframed the problem entirely. “It is not a September issue”, he said. “It is a January through August issue.”

That distinction matters because it speaks to process rather than panic. Notre Dame got off to an 0-2 start last season, and fans remember the Northern Illinois loss and other early-season blunders that put the program behind the eight ball in years past. Teams under Freeman have typically finished strong, but the slow starts have kept the Fighting Irish scrambling for playoff positioning instead of entering the postseason with momentum and margin for error.

The offseason runway matters

Part of Freeman’s answer centered on Notre Dame’s decision to skip the Pop-Tarts Bowl after a 10-2 season that fell short of the College Football Playoff. That decision gave the program a longer runway to prepare for 2026, and Freeman talked about the testing numbers this offseason as evidence of genuine progress from January through early August.

On paper, the talent is there. Quarterback CJ Carr returns as a second-year starter. The offensive line might be Notre Dame’s most talented group in several years. The wide receiver room is the deepest it has been in recent memory under Freeman, the running back unit is solid, and the defense features elite players like Leonard Moore, Boubacar Traore, Drayk Bowen, and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. The roster construction alone suggests this team should be capable of fast starts.

But the more encouraging part of Freeman’s press conference was the process conversation. He talked about consistent communication regarding priorities, observing everything the program does, and putting every detail under the microscope. That includes practice time, duration, how things are sequenced during practice, and what the staff has identified as areas for improvement based on past results.

Actions speak louder than coach speak

Words from a press conference only carry weight when paired with action. Freeman’s track record this offseason suggests this is not lip service.

From everything I have gathered through conversations this offseason, this is actionable. Notre Dame has made undergrad transfers easier to facilitate. The Fighting Irish are recruiting at an all-time level in the 2027 class under Freeman. The program has also shown a willingness to open up the checkbook in the pay-for-play era for players who can improve the roster, whether they are depth pieces or starters.

One thing I have learned covering this program is that Freeman, to a fault at times, is overly honest.

Coach speak is always present, but there are always these moments of genuine transparency. After the loss to Marshall, Freeman had conversations with coaches to evaluate what went wrong. After the Northern Illinois defeat in Notre Dame Stadium, he reached out to the opposing head coach. He is not someone who resists change.

Evolution is something Freeman clearly values, and that willingness to adapt is critical at a program like Notre Dame.

The schedule sets up for a statement

The 2026 slate is not the most difficult schedule Notre Dame has faced. The early portion of the season gives the Fighting Irish a real chance to demonstrate substantial growth and put the September narrative to rest. That is significant because this is not the first time Freeman has been asked about slow starts. It has been a consistent topic for several years now.

From the sounds of it, the entire operation is on the same page. Staff, personnel department, front office, everyone is aligned. Based upon everything I have been told and everyone I have talked to, the level of internal alignment is real. Nutrition, training, game planning, all of those things have been evaluated and adjusted where needed.

There is a process-oriented personality to Freeman that gives me real confidence here. Until the September narrative changes, it will remain the go-to criticism of this program. I believe, based on everything behind the scenes this offseason, that change is on the horizon for Notre Dame football heading into 2026.