The Fighting Irish played their home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, and competed as an independent.

[1][2] The Irish started the season 0–2, including a surprising loss to the Marshall Thundering Herd despite being heavy favorites.

Their season ended with the Irish defeating South Carolina 45–38 in the 2022 Taxslayer Gator Bowl.

This was only the 3rd time in the last 28 seasons that the Irish defeated another ranked team in a bowl game.

On December 2, 2021, following the departure of Brian Kelly to LSU, defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was promoted to head coach.