James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame will face off in the Orange Bowl. The winner will be the first Black coach to guide a team to a College Football Playoff final.

The split in men’s basketball is 59.6% Black or two-race players and 24.8% Black head coaches. Both Franklin and Freeman are mixed race; Franklin’s mother is white, and Freeman’s mom is Korean.

Marcus Freeman or James Franklin will become the first Black head coach to make an FBS national championship game. This is an historic moment. Sports newsletter 🏈's best, via 📧 Studio IX ...

As James Franklin prepares for the Orange Bowl, the Nittany Lions head coach reflected on how two Black head coaches can impact the future. News Sports GameTimePA Opinion Advertise Obituaries ...

Franklin notes when he was at Kansas State, the percentage of Black head coaches at the FBS level was 4.72. He’s encouraged by the upward trend. “I know some people will say, that’s not a ...

James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame will face off in the Orange Bowl. The winner will be the first Black coach to guide a team to a College Football Playoff final.

Marcus Freeman or James Franklin will become the first Black head coach to make an FBS national championship game. This is an historic moment.

Penn State's James Franklin and Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman have broken ground as the first Black head coaches to lead teams to the CFP. Both understand the historic nature of their matchup.

Marcus Freeman, James Franklin hope CFP runs help all Black coaches. Andrea Adelson Jan 4, 2025, 01:11 PM ET. Close. ACC reporter. Joined ESPN.com in 2010. Graduate of the University of Florida.

Penn State’s James Franklin and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman are the first nonwhite coaches to reach the playoff semifinals. Hiring shifts suggest they won’t be the last.

Marcus Freeman or James Franklin will become the first Black head coach to make an FBS national championship game. This is an historic moment.