It’s officially official.

Notre Dame announced the hire of its next head coach in Marcus Freeman. Freeman served as the team’s defensive coordinator this season, and following Brian Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame to LSU, Freeman immediately became a favorite to land the position.

Freeman had momentum within the program because he’s so well liked by everyone, and he’s a dynamic up-and-coming coach who now has one of the nation’s best jobs. The rise from Ohio State linebacker to Notre Dame head coach happened very quickly; however, it’s a smart hire for the Irish.

With Freeman’s hire, Notre Dame will likely keep the bulk of its recruiting class together, and it now has a head coach in order to make a College Football Playoff appearance. Remember, the selection committee would have taken into account the Irish not having a head coach, and now, although it’s not Brian Kelly, it’s less of an issue for the committee.

Freeman’s hire keeps the Irish’s staff intact, assuming this is the direction the university and Freeman want to go.