PSU coach James Franklin wants ND coach Marcus Freeman’s “Hairline.”

Before their teams compete in the Orange Bowl, Penn State’s head coach James Franklin the Notre Dame head coach admitted Marcus Freeman lives his follicle fantasy.

For January 8, Wednesday, press conference Ahead of Thursday night’s game, Franklin, 52, said football wasn’t the only thing on his mind when both coaches addressed the media.

“It’s going to be a great game,” Franklin said. “We are very, very happy about the competition. I look at Marcus. How old are you now, Marcus?”

“38,” Freeman said with a small smile.

related: Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman Family Directory: Wife Joanna and 6 Children

Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has a pretty impressive lineup off the field as well. Freeman, 38, who became Notre Dame’s head football coach in December 2021, married his wife Joanne Freeman in 2010. The couple met while studying at Ohio State University, where Marcus was (…)

Franklin, who is bald, replied: “I mean, I’m looking at the hairline on this guy. In many ways, I envied his hair.”

In addition to compliments on his appearance, Franklin said Freeman has done a “phenomenal job” this season with the Fighting Irish, who earned a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals with wins over Indiana and Georgia.

Penn State earned its trip to the Orange Bowl with wins over SMU and Boise State. The winner of Thursday’s game will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the winner of Ohio State and Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, January 10.

After leading Notre Dame to the semifinals in his third season as head coach, Freeman saw his fame explode. Freeman was named the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award on Wednesday.

Freeman was able to to celebrate his team’s victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl next to his wife Joannaand their six children: a son winnie17 years old, daughter Sienna12 years old, son Gino11 years old, son Niko9 years old, daughter Capri7 years old and a son Rocco6.

related: Sports moments that blew us away in 2024

Getty Images (4) Sometimes sports can really touch our hearts — and 2024 had plenty of special moments. In baseball, World Series MVP Freddie Freeman returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers to a standing ovation after leaving the team to tend to his son in intensive care, (…)

After the game hosted by New Orleans was postponed due to truck attack on new yearFreeman admitted that his team is a bit behind by eight goals, but he fully expects his team to be ready for the challenge that Penny State presents.

“I think the coaches, maybe we were a little behind in the start just because of the travel and that aspect, but physically our guys were good,” Freeman told reporters Wednesday. “Our guys were good and we will be ready to play. But we must use, as you just said, every minute we have between now and tomorrow night at 7:30.’

He added: “It’s a mindset we all have — it’s every minute we have to use. We didn’t have two extra days, so let’s use the time we have physically and mentally to make sure we’re ready to go tomorrow night.”

The Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State will begin on Thursday, January 9th at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.