Their connection began at Ohio State, where Freeman played linebacker from 2004 to 2008 while Fickell served as his position coach.

Nearly a decade later, Fickell hired Freeman as Cincinnati’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, a job he held from 2017 through 2020 and used to build a nationally‑renowned defense.

Freeman left Cincinnati to become Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator and was promoted to head coach in 2021 after Brian Kelly departed for LSU.

The two have already faced each other on opposite sidelines: in 2021, Fickell’s Cincinnati defeated Notre Dame 24‑13 while Freeman was the Irish defensive coordinator.

Both coaches now run distinct programs. Fickell said, "The ones who have the most success, like Marcus has, are ones who create an identity for themselves, not just where they've been, whether it's his time with us at Cincinnati or his time at Ohio State or his time under Jim Tressel."

Freeman echoed that sentiment, stating, "I've got a lot of respect for him. I wouldn't be in this position without the investment he made in me. ... I think about Luke Fickell, I think about a tireless worker, I think about the demands that he has for his players, his coaches. And the mindset of, 'This is the way we're going to play. This is who we are. This is our identity, and we're committed to it.'"

Thus, the game at Lambeau Field carries a personal storyline as well as the usual conference rivalry, giving fans an extra layer of intrigue.