Notre Dame and Wisconsin prepare for season opener at Lambeau Field
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 9:41 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
No. 4 Notre Dame meets Wisconsin in a Sunday night season opener at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The matchup features significant history between the coaching staffs, as Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman previously played for and worked under Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell. Freeman served as a linebacker for Fickell at Ohio State and later held roles on Fickell’s staff at Cincinnati. Several other members of the current Notre Dame coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, also share professional ties to Fickell from their time at Cincinnati. While Notre Dame enters the game as a three-touchdown favorite, Freeman noted the challenge of facing a Wisconsin team that integrated 27 transfers during the offseason. Fickell enters the contest facing pressure following two consecutive seasons with losing records.
- •No. 4 Notre Dame faces Wisconsin Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
- •Marcus Freeman played for and coached under Luke Fickell at Ohio State and Cincinnati.
- •Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is among the staff members with past ties to Fickell.
- •Wisconsin added 27 transfers to its roster following two seasons of losing records.
- •Notre Dame enters the contest as a three-touchdown favorite.
- 11:04 AMYahoo Sports — Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell praises his protege Marcus Freeman
- 3:52 PMYahoo Sports — Coaching connections add intrigue to No. 4 Notre Dame’s season opener with Wisconsin
- 9:41 PMYahoo Sports — Coaching connections add intrigue to No. 4 Notre Dame's season opener with Wisconsin
"Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickell at Ohio State and coached on his staff at Cincinnati. Fickell, whose Wisconsin team faces No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday night, says he isn’t surprised at the way Freeman has developed into one of college football’s top head coaches in the years since they worked together. “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 (former Ohio State coach) Jim Tressel,” Fickell said Monday.
"Wisconsin head coach has a long history with Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, and has been impressed with the job he’s done with the Irish.
"Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickell at Ohio State and coached on his staff at Cincinnati.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 11:04 AMWisconsin head coach Luke Fickell praises his protege Marcus Freeman
Wisconsin head coach has a long history with Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, and has been impressed with the job he’s done with the Irish.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 3:52 PMCoaching connections add intrigue to No. 4 Notre Dame’s season opener with Wisconsin
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickell at Ohio State and coached on his staff at Cincinnati.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 9:41 PMCoaching connections add intrigue to No. 4 Notre Dame's season opener with Wisconsin
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman played for Luke Fickell at Ohio State and coached on his staff at Cincinnati. Fickell, whose Wisconsin team faces No. 4 Notre Dame on Sunday night, says he isn’t surprised at the way Freeman has developed into one of college football’s top head coaches in the years since they worked together. “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 (former Ohio State coach) Jim Tressel,” Fickell said Monday.
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