Irish hire Cincinnati's Freeman as DC: Notre Dame has found its new defensive coordinator, hiring Marcus Freeman away from Cincinnati. Freeman, who turns 35 on Sunday, had spent the last three seasons as Cincinnati’s linebackers coach and defensive coordinator. He now will fill both those roles at Notre Dame. He replaces Clark Lea, who left to take over Vanderbilt’s program. Cincinnati ranked 13th among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense (324.6) and eighth in scoring defense (16.8) this season as the Bearcats went 9-1, ending with a 24-21 Peach Bowl loss to Georgia. The Bearcats were third in pass efficiency defense, 14th in run defense and tied for 10th in takeaways.
SPORTS DIGEST: Notre Dame hires Cincinnati's Marcus Freeman as DC
