Despite failing to be selected for the College Football Playoff after a 10-2 season and interest from NFL teams needing head coaches, Marcus Freeman will reportedly remain as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Freeman, who recently turned 40, will remain the team’s head coach for at least the 2026 season, ESPN reported via Adam Schefter’s sources. The news arrived after the school’s earlier announcement that Freeman would participate in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
The Fighting Irish made headlines once they were left out of the 12-team CFP bracket by the selection committee, in favor of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Miami Hurricanes. Of those two teams, Alabama suffered an embarrassing loss in the second round, while Miami will play for the CFP National Championship on Monday.
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Notre Dame’s past season also featured a standout performance from running back Jeremiyah Love, who became one of the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza ultimately claimed the honor. Both players are expected to be first-round draft picks for the NFL.
Regarding the NFL, there was speculation for months that Freeman might opt to leave Notre Dame to become a head coach in the professional league. One team he was often linked to was the New York Giants, who fired head coach Brian Daboll during the season.
More recently, vacancies opened with the Baltimore Ravens, who fired head coach John Harbaugh after failing to reach the playoffs, and with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as coach Mike Tomlin stepped down Tuesday after 19 seasons.
Freeman has been part of the Notre Dame program since 2021, first serving as the school’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach before taking over the head coaching role the same year. Per ESPN, he received “an enhanced deal” to remain as the Fighting Irish coach last month.
The school’s failure to qualify for the CFP brought intense scrutiny and drama, as Notre Dame declined to participate in a college bowl game. Many analysts criticized the move, claiming it was hurting some of the players who wouldn’t get to play in a final game before leaving college football.
Freeman is expected to speak at a press conference on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, his first time addressing the media since the CFP decision and National Signing Day.
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