Marcus Freeman, James Laurinaitis, Dom Barber and the Ohio State-Notre Dame connection

A video message will arrive on James Laurinaitis’ phone this weekend, likely the night before he practices in Monday’s college football national championship game.

This is the normal routine. His best friend from high school, Dom Barber, sends a video message of support to Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman during their group chat every Friday during football season, a ritual that began in 2022.

The videos, which Barber calls “DB Chronicles,” are typically three to four minutes long and are his way of offering support, humor, football information, family updates and “whatever I feel in my heart at that moment,” Barber said.

“I can’t wait to hear whoever he sends on Sunday night,” Laurinaitis said earlier this week.

This one will hit differently.

Laurinaitis, a Wayzata High graduate, is Ohio State’s linebackers coach. Freeman is the head coach at Notre Dame.

These two became teammates, roommates and best friends at Ohio State. They played the same position (linebacker) and later served as groomsmen at each other’s weddings. Freeman gave Laurinaitis his coaching debut.

On Monday, they will find themselves on the opposite sideline with a national championship on the line.