‘Second to none;’ Former Wayne HS football coach reflects on time with Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman

KETTERING — The Ohio State Buckeyes claimed the CFP National Championship title Monday night after they beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, Submarine House Sports Bar hosted one of the many watch parties in the Miami Valley.

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Michael Syphers is the General Manager of the sports bar. He said they have special deals on drinks and food for the big game.

“It’s so loud you, it’s hard to kind of tell what customers need help,” Syphers said.

Syphers said every time there’s a big game on, the place gets busy.

“It’s just an environment that you really want to be at,” he said.

Not everyone went out to watch the game. Buckeye fan and former Wayne High School football coach Jay Minton watched the game from home.

He coached the Wayne Warriors for more than 20 years. During that time, he had several amazing players, including Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman.

“He’s just one of those guys, you just saw something in him real fast. And the way he worked, his work ethic, and all that was just second to none,” Minton said.

Once Freeman graduated, Minton watched his football career soar.

“It’s why you do it. You want to plant a seed, if you can here and there, you never know if it’s gonna grow or what it’s going to grow into,” Minton said. “I think what Marcus is a testament to everybody, young person, not only in Huber Heights but in the Miami Valley or wherever you come from.”

Minton said he didn’t know if he should root for the Buckeyes or his family Monday night.

“Marcus is like family to us and not only to me personally but to our Warrior family,” Minton said. “He’s going to be one of those guys, that wherever he ends up, whether it’s still Notre Dame or wherever else, he’s going to be very successful for a long time to come.”

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.