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

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.

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'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.

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.

Either Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman or Penn State’s James Franklin will become the first Black coach to compete for a college football national championship.

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.

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.