It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Notre Dame- Mary Atop the Golden Dome gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Notre Dame, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a day. After speaking to the independent living center where she resided, our family decided to hire Always Best Care for the meds (and then later for 24-hour aids). We cannot say enough about Darlene and Candy, as well as the numerous aids. Even at the end when our mom no longer needed the meds, they would often stop by to see her anyway. We generally do not give reviews of companies, but their caring approach was exceptional and we decided it was appropriate for others who need these services to know about our experience.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since Always Best Care came into my life, my worries have ended. I never knew if previous caregivers were going to show up, or do what I needed. Everytime they would complete a task, they would sit down and be on their phone. Kari and Jamisha finish a task and right to the next. No problems. My mind has been put at ease. They are very professional yet so so friendly. They ask, what else they can do for me. I also have my ABC emergency call button. Now I have peace of mind if an emergency should arise. My case coordinator Stephanie Stevens. Stays right on top of my case. Thank you so much for making my life easier. I have recommended your company to others that may need assistance in the future.”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and in scheduling care. With respect to the caregivers, we have no complaints. We want to give a special thank you to Rhona for her time and effort in creating a special bond with our mother.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Governor Joseph Kernan Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Traditions or visit The Word of Life Mural, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Notre Dame, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Notre Dame, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Notre Dame, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Blake ToppmeyerThe 12-team College Football Playoff format saved ...
The 12-team College Football Playoff format saved Ohio State and Notre Dame. Good for them. Good for us, too, that the boredom of the four-team playoff became relegated to the past, and the expanded playoff afforded these teams a path to the grand stage.
This four-round bonanza instituted this year supplied a national championship matchup worthy of this most dramatic season, and, after four consecutive playoff victories, no one should debate whether the victor earned the crown.
Neither Ohio State nor Notre Dame would have made a four-team playoff based on the final College Football Playoff committee rankings. The Irish ranked No. 5, and the Buckeyes were No. 6, but try now, after what we've seen, to imagine a playoff without Ohio State or Notre Dame. Sounds pretty unfulfilling after how these teams have performed in the postseason.
College football didn’t really require a playoff of this size when super squads like 2019 LSU or 2020 Alabama ran roughshod over opponents from September through January. That landscape of college football evolved, though, after the introduction of NIL and transfer freedom. We’re left with fewer juggernauts and more championship contenders.
Consider what the pairings would have been in a four-team playoff. Based on the final playoff rankings, the semifinals would have featured Oregon against Penn State and Georgia against Texas.
In other words, rematches of conference championship games. Pretty lame, right?
In reality, I suspect the playoff committee would have sprinkled in a dose of hocus-pocus to avoid those rematches. Maybe, Texas and Penn State would have flipped in the rankings to create a pair of Big Ten vs. SEC semifinals, or, perhaps, Notre Dame would have wedged its way into a four-team field.
Any way you slice it, though, a four-team playoff would not have included two-loss Ohio State.
And, as the Buckeyes proved these past few weeks, any playoff that didn’t include Ohio State would not be a showcasing of the nation’s elite.
The playoff tripling in size from four to 12 teams sparked some concern among fans and media types that this broader bracket would increase the chance of an undeserving national champion emerging.
Multiply the playoff from two rounds to four rounds, and you up the opportunity for fluky results, shenanigans or injuries that could bounce a deserving front-runner while an underdog finds a glass slipper.
That’s not what happened in this playoff, though. Ohio State and Notre Dame are no Cinderella. They’re well-resourced blue bloods steeped in talent, playing their best ball at the season's close.
The committee underseeded Ohio State at No. 8, when it had built the re?sume? for a No. 5 seed, awarded to the playoff's top at-large team. They Buckeyes didn’t reach this stage through shocking upsets or repeated hijinks. They flat whipped their first two opponents, Tennessee and Oregon, before showing more fourth-quarter mettle than Texas in the semifinals.
They’re here because they’re really stinkin’ good, and because a late-November loss in a rivalry game no longer dooms a really stinkin' good team.
The Buckeyes, throughout three playoff games, demonstrated they’re the nation’s most talented team, playing to form after a couple of regular-season hiccups.
“Very, very grateful” for this playoff format, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “I do think the new format has allowed our team to grow and build throughout the season, and as much as losses hurt, they really allow us as coaches and players to take a hard look at the issues and get them addressed.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman should feel gratitude, too.
The Fighting Irish improved throughout the season. They recovered from an inexplicable Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. That stunning result might have eliminated the Irish from a four-team playoff. It certainly would have restricted the Irish from national championship contention in the Bowl Championship Series era.
THREE KEYS:Breaking down the Ohio State-Notre Dame title game
BURYING MICHIGAN:Ohio State one win away from rewriting its narrative
The committee, in the four-team playoff era, used to say it aimed to select the four best teams, but you could spot that hogwash from a country mile away last season, when the committee omitted Georgia after the uber-talented Bulldogs lost one time, to Alabama, in the SEC championship game.
Would Georgia’s playoff inclusion have altered the outcome of Michigan winning the national championship? Not sure about that, but after watching Michigan pick clean Washington and leave the Huskies for bones in the title game, I came away thinking we got robbed of the playoff matchup we deserved, Michigan vs. Georgia.
If the four-team playoff persisted into this season, the national championship could have pitted Oregon against Georgia. Might have been a decent game, too, but that game wouldn’t have included the nation’s best team.
So, yeah, increasing the playoff field from four to 12 meant squabbling over whether SMU or a three-loss SEC team “deserved” the final bid, and when the Mustangs got smacked in a first-round CFP loss, the bellyaching reached a fever pitch.
The downside of a 12-team playoff showed its face: The re?sume? of those final at-large teams can be a bit squishy. The upside, though, is that a top team that suffers a puzzling loss (see Ohio State’s loss to Michigan or Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois) doesn’t become persona non grata from the playoff.
Now, we’re left with two teams that proved their qualifications for this national championship game. A worthy champion will emerge Monday in Atlanta, and we won’t be left to wonder whether the committee omitted the nation’s best team from the bracket.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.
Among the first to congratulate Tennessee State football coach Eddie George on being named the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference...
Among the first to congratulate Tennessee State football coach Eddie George on being named the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference coach of the year was Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and his staff.
George in turn was quick do the same for Freeman and his staff when they earned a spot in the College Football national championship last week.
George and Freeman formed a mutual admiration in 2023 when the two were part of history after TSU became the first Historical Black College and University to play Notre Dame, one of the most storied college football programs of all time.
The connection came quite naturally. George and Freeman are both upcoming Black coaches who have made giant steps toward restoring their respective programs to former glory. Notre Dame has won 11 national championships, the last coming in 1988 while TSU has won 12 Black national college football titles, the last coming in 1983.
And oh yeah, they're both former Ohio State football players and guess who Notre Dame faces in Monday's national title game? Yep, the Buckeyes.
Ohio State (13-2) plays Notre Dame (14-1) at 6:30 p.m., Monday in the national championship game in Atlanta.
"I've known Marcus over the years because he played at Ohio State, but he was not somebody I talked to everyday," George said. "For the press conference to announce our game that year (2022) before we played them I had the chance to go up and spend some time with him. We hit it off right away.
"We shared some ideas, talked about our philosophy and found that we share a lot of things in common. We were both in the process of building our teams at that time and were really open with each other about how we were going about it."
EDDIE GEORGE WELCOMED TOP COMPETITION:How playing Notre Dame and FCS powers made Tennessee State football and Eddie George better
EDDIE GEORGE RUNNER-UP COACH OF YEAR:Tennessee State's Eddie George is runner-up for Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year award
Freeman is the first Black coach to make it to the national championship game. George became only the fifth Black coach named OVC Coach of the Year in its 76-year history.
Freeman was the recipient of the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the nation's top FBS coach and the Dodd Trophy.
George was runner-up for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, which goes to the nation's top FCS coach.
Since becoming TSU's coach George has kept a relatively low key profile compared to some other former NFL stars who went into coaching such as Deion Sanders, who first coached at HBCU Jackson State and is now at Colorado.
Freeman has been more like George in his approach to the profession and that is likely why the two grew closer.
"The thing about Marcus is he's humble; very humble," George said. "It's always 'us' and 'we' and not 'I' or 'me.' That's what I love about him. It's 'our offense' and what 'we're going to do.' Also, how he has that team dialed in. He's done a phenomenal job. He coached at Cincinnati under Luke Fickell as the defensive coordinator building that program up so he knows what it looks like."
Even with his past as one of the greatest Tennessee Titans ever, George faced some obstacles early in his TSU coaching career. With no previous coaching experience George was not quickly accepted by a segment of the Tigers fan base, especially after he posted back-to-back losing records.
That changed over the last two seasons after George became only the fourth TSU coach in the last 37 years to post back-to-back winning records and led the Tigers to the FCS playoffs this season for the first time since 2013.
Freeman, in his third full season at Notre Dame, faced the same type of scrutiny. He went 9-4 in 2022 and 10-3 in 2023, but after the Fighting Irish suffered a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7 of this season some fans were calling for him to be fired.
"You lose one game at Notre Dame and they talk about losing your job," George said. "Two years ago when he lost to Marshall (26-21) they were saying, 'Is he the guy for this job?' Earlier this season they lose to Northern Illinois and they're saying it again. Then he reels off 13 straight wins and is playing for a national championship. He persevered, he's resilient, he's grown as a coach, cut out all the noise, and that's remarkable. I'm really proud of what he's been able to do."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
Now that I have gotten into I have definitely leaned on him for some things. I am not conflicted at all about the national championship game. Of course I want my Buckeyes to win. But if (Freeman) happens to to pull it off, I'm happy for him. And I am not upset about this match up at all"
Freeman is the first Black coach to make it to the national championship game. George is just the fifth Black coach named the OVC coach of the year in its 76-year history.
Garnering his second national Coach of the Year honor, Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman was named the winner of the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
Freeman is the second Notre Dame coach to win the Munger Award presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the NCAA Division I coach of the year. He also won the 2024 Dodd Trophy.
Along with the conference coach of the year award, George was runner-up for the Eddie Robinson Award, which goes to the top Football Championship Subdivision coach.
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It didn't take long after Tommy Rees arrived at the University of Notre Dame for Chuck Martin to realize that the quarterback understood the game of football at a higher level than most."Probably about 30 seconds after you start a conversation with him," Martin, now the head coach at Miami of Ohio, recalled to the B...
It didn't take long after Tommy Rees arrived at the University of Notre Dame for Chuck Martin to realize that the quarterback understood the game of football at a higher level than most.
"Probably about 30 seconds after you start a conversation with him," Martin, now the head coach at Miami of Ohio, recalled to the Beacon Journal. "It wasn't long. Guys like that you know, and you know you can talk. Sometimes in meetings you get caught talking to them at a higher level than other guys in the meeting, and then you kind of fill the cracks in with everybody else."
Rees, who was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator by the Browns on Tuesday, arrived as a freshman at Notre Dame in 2010. At the time, Martin was also arriving in South Bend as part of new head coach Brian Kelly's first coaching staff, only it was coaching the Fighting Irish's defensive backs.
Their third year together at Notre Dame in 2012 was the first time they truly worked together, as Kelly moved Martin from coaching defensive backs to being the offensive coordinator. However, the conversations started well before that transition.
"I knew when I was coaching the secondary at Notre Dame, me and Tommy, he was a football junkie like me," Martin said. "So even as a player when I first was at Notre Dame, I was on defense, and I already knew it. I knew it before I took over the offense that Tommy was incredibly smart and the game made sense to him. He understood a high level of football, and so it was easy for me when I moved to offense, I already knew how smart he was and the things we needed to be able to do with him."
That's why Martin finds Rees' success and rise through the coaching ranks so unsurprising. The former Irish quarterback would eventually go on to become the Irish quarterbacks coach, then become the offensive coordinator, not just of his own alma mater, but also one season under Nick Saban at Alabama.
Now, the last two seasons have seen Rees' rise take him to the NFL level in Cleveland, first as the tight ends coach last year before his recent promotion. The roots of that all go back to the player Rees was while at Notre Dame.
"Yeah, the game made sense to Tommy, whether it be film watching, drawing up stuff on the board, whatever you did in meetings. Most kids have a hard time totally following the meetings with the practice, and then the kid gets it. Tommy was one, as soon as he start talking about something, he kind of knew where it was going."
It wasn't just where the play or series of plays were going for Rees. It wasn't just the who or the what or the how, either.
For Martin, there's was another "W" that Rees could answer that set him apart.
"He understood the whys, where a lot of players, they can memorize different things and why they're playing and, 'if this, then this,'" Martin said. "Tommy always understood, OK, yeah it is if this, then this. But he always got the why behind it. He could tell why we were trying to do what we were trying to do."
That's the trait that Martin believes can separate the great players from the rest. It's also what can help make a coach a great coach as well.
How that helps can be as simple as recognizing an in-game adjustment, or as complicated as having to shift styles because of a change in personnel. It's something Martin, who left Notre Dame in 2014 to become Miami's head coach, could see in the way his former quarterback ran his offenses once he became the Irish's offensive coordinator.
"He had years where a starting quarterback got injured, and you could see he kept putting the new guy in a position to be successful and it wasn't always doing the same stuff as the old guy was doing," Martin said. "A lot of coaches are total system guys — we all have our systems, but they're total system guys — and therefore, if you don't fit in their system, you just don't fit. One of the things I thought Tommy did a phenomenal job at Notre Dame was, guy goes down, the backup isn't anything really like the starter, but you could see as the year went on, he's figuring out what this kid can do to be successful and he's asking him to do the things he's good at and not asking him to do things that you want to do as a coach sometimes."
Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field has been whittled down to two as Ohio State prepares to face Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship on Monday, Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Program legends will be ...
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff field has been whittled down to two as Ohio State prepares to face Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship on Monday, Jan. 20 in Atlanta. Program legends will be made as Ohio State seeks its first national title since 2014, while Notre Dame aims to rise back to the top of the college football world for the first time since 1988.
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of the 12-team playoff has been the opportunity for stars to rise and legends to grow. There are players like Jack Sawyer, a solid defensive end who made one of the biggest plays in Ohio State history with a fumble return for a touchdown in the waning moments of the Cotton Bowl win over Texas. The same is true of Notre Dame's Jaden Greathouse, who flipped the Orange Bowl with a breakaway touchdown against Penn State.
In a previous era, there would have only been two opportunities to prove yourself as an impact player. For Notre Dame and Ohio State, there were four with national spotlights. Here are 10 of the most impactful players among the two teams heading into the championship game, including numerous future first-rounders and breakout underclassmen.
If there was any question of how important Smith is to Ohio State, flip on the film of the Texas defense in the Cotton Bowl. Every single snap, the Longhorns were bringing doubles, bracketing the star freshman and clouding him to keep Smith contained. In the previous two games, Smith posted 13 catches for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Notre Dame is a man-heavy defense but will have to figure out alternatives against a player of Smith's caliber.
Ohio State needed a defender to step up and take a Joey Bosa-like role on the defense line, and Sawyer has delivered. During the College Football Playoff run, Sawyer has posted 4.5 sacks and consistently terrorized opposing linemen. Against Texas, Sawyer forced a strip-sack of Quinn Ewers and returned it more than 80 yards for a game-sealing touchdown. He has been the best defensive player in the College Football Playoff.
Leonard has been inconsistent throwing the ball, but his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. The senior transfer from Duke has stepped up and provided sensational playmaking ability and carried the Fighting Irish offense for stretches. Despite throwing for only 90 yards against Georgia, Leonard's fingerprints were all over the game with 80 critical yards rushing. He's a classic gamer who wins in the margins.
To see how valuable Downs is to Ohio State, look to the most important play of the Cotton Bowl. Texas ran a toss at the goal line which was blocked well, but Downs immediately read the play, shot the gap and set up a massive tackle for loss. Downs, a sophomore, would be a top-five pick in the NFL Draft right now thanks to his versatile skill set. He posted 77 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six passes defended during an All-American campaign after transferring from Alabama.
Notre Dame's passing defense is perhaps the top unit on its team, and Watts leads the way at safety. The senior plays everywhere on the field and has posted 13 interceptions over the past two seasons during All-America campaigns. During the CFP, Watts has posted 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and another interception. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will use Watts as a safety blanket against the sensational OSU receiver room.
Notre Dame has lost numerous defensive linemen to injuries across the season, including Cross for a stretch. However, the sixth-year senior has been a consistent mainstay for the Irish and keys a defense that ranks among the nation's best. With Cross in the lineup, Notre Dame's defense has stayed on schedule.
Notre Dame leans on a trio of rushers with Love, Leonard and Jadarian Price, but Love has emerged as a serious difference maker late in the year. During a four-game stretch to end the season, Love posted 474 yards and six touchdowns on an unreal 10.7 yards per carry. Love has been limited in the last two CFP games with a knee injury, but some time off before the title game should do him some good. The Fighting Irish need him to be at his best.
Offensive linemen don't always earn the spotlight of being impact players, but Jackson has put together a sensational season. When Ohio State lost left tackle Josh Simmons to a season-ending injury, Jackson slid from left guard to left tackle. He gave up five pressures and two sacks in his first start against Penn State but has since allowed only two pressures and zero sacks across the entire College Football Playoff. His performance has been critical.
Ohio State made a shrewd decision to bring in running back Quinshon Judkins and limit touches for Henderson, who has struggled with injuries. Now, the senior is the freshest running back remaining and looks like his unbelievably explosive self. Against Texas, Henderson took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown before half. He is averaging a career high 7.3 yards per carry. If Notre Dame misses a gap, Henderson can take it to the house.
Greathouse's numbers don't jump off the page -- 36 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns. However, he proved his upside with a 54-yard breakaway touchdown against Penn State, which ranks among the biggest plays in program history. Greathouse doesn't get to show off his vast potential often because of the inconsistent passing game at Notre Dame, but he is a game-changing player with the ball in his hands.
With Notre Dame standing one win away from a national championship, some college football fans have been taking shots at former Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly.After Notre Dame earned a spot in the CFP Championship Game, Kelly got roasted on social media. Kelly coached 12 seasons at Notre Dame with great success, going 113-40. But he left after the 2021 regular season for LSU, saying, “I want to be in an environment where ...
With Notre Dame standing one win away from a national championship, some college football fans have been taking shots at former Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly.
After Notre Dame earned a spot in the CFP Championship Game, Kelly got roasted on social media. Kelly coached 12 seasons at Notre Dame with great success, going 113-40. But he left after the 2021 regular season for LSU, saying, “I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship.”
That comment has fueled plenty of memes poking fun at Kelly in recent days.
Don’t forget Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU so he can compete for National Championships”. ???? pic.twitter.com/KgT9KpItUj
— The Cowboy Regg ? (@Irish_Cowboy88) January 4, 2025
Kelly has gone 29-11 in three seasons at LSU, but the Tigers haven’t made the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, third-year head coach Marcus Freeman is eyeing a national title.
The veteran coach told CBS Sports Tuesday he’s pulling for Notre Dame, saying, “I’m happy for all those guys, I pull for them.” But he took the opportunity to say his remarks when he left Notre Dame were misinterpreted by fans and the media.
“They’re selling it the way they want to sell it,” Kelly told CBS Sports. “Why do you leave Notre Dame? You leave Notre Dame because you’re taking another challenge. I took Notre Dame to championships. It’s just the way you want to twist it: ‘You leave Notre Dame to go win a championship.’ I wasn’t leaving Notre Dame because I couldn’t win a championship. You can win championships at Notre Dame, but I chose another path because I wanted a different challenge.”
Looking back at Kelly’s statement in 2022, “I want to be in an environment where I have the resources to win a national championship,” his intent there seems crystal clear. You can blame people for twisting that out of context, but that is a very concise statement; Kelly felt he did not have the resources at Notre Dame to win a championship.
And Kelly said more at that time, indicating he was not happy with the progress on a new football facility at Notre Dame. “I felt like we both got to a point where this is what they could do, right?” he said in April 2022.
Now, Kelly feels he was misinterpreted. Fans on social media are not buying that explanation.
If Marcus Freeman wins a National Championship at Notre Dame before Brian Kelly at LSU….
Brian Kelly is gonna look ______(fill in the blank)______ pic.twitter.com/95SH9ilyyD
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) January 10, 2025
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