The Orange Bowl was a huge win for that program. The fact that they made it all this way — against Penn State, no less — speaks to the job Freeman has done. To go from losing to Northern Illinois at the beginning of the season to playing for a national championship is unheard of.

Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU and a better shot at a championship, but it's Marcus Freeman and the Irish who will play for a title.

Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff remain focused on building up the program for the long haul with their recruiting efforts beginning to ramp up in the 202