The video message is expected to arrive on James Laurinaitis’ phone sometime this weekend, likely the night before he coaches in the College Football National Championship Game in Atlanta on Monday.
That’s the normal routine. Dom Barber, a close friend since high school, sends a video message of support to Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman’s 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 offer support, humor, football insights, family updates and, Barber says, “what I’m feeling inside at that moment.” Barber said that’s how he provides it.
“I can’t wait to hear the message he sends on Sunday night,” Laurinaitis said earlier this week.
This one is different.
Laurinaitis, a Wayzata High School graduate, is the linebackers coach at Ohio State University. Freeman is the head coach at Notre Dame.
The 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 start coaching.
On Monday, they’ll be on opposite sidelines with a national championship on the line.
