Notre Dame's coach remains focused on his team's performance despite making history of his own at the Orange Bowl

In line with the 12-team playoff's historic nature, the CFP semifinals feature a matchup that will guarantee more history in the national championship game.

The spring and summer of 2020 was a fraught time for college football coaches. Their sport was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting them off from recruiting future players and on-field interaction with their current players.

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.

One head coach will make history by winning the Orange Bowl on Thursday. When Penn State-Notre Dame goes final in the College Football Playoff semifinal either James Franklin or Marcus Freeman will become the first Black head coach to lead a team into the FBS National Championship game.

Penn State coach James Franklin and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman held their final media availability Wednesday before the Orange Bowl, where they discussed key injuries and preparing for their biggest game of the season so far. Here’s what the coaches had to say as the Orange Bowl approaches.

Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman and Penn State's James Franklin are aware they are on the brink of making history in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl.

College football will see its first Black head coach guide his team to the national championship game at the highest level of the game with either Penn State’s James Franklin or Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman.