Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame: NFL Rumors Swirl Amid Career Choices
The recent exclusion of Notre Dame Fighting Irish from the College Football Playoff, followed by their decision to forgo a bowl game altogether, might have concluded their regular season, but speculation about head coach Marcus Freeman’s future continues unabated. Despite the completion of the college football coaching carousel—with notable moves like Lane Kiffin to LSU, Jon Sumrall to Florida, and Matt Campbell to Penn State—the rumors surrounding Freeman aren’t about another college program but rather potential opportunities in the NFL.
Freeman’s name first emerged in NFL coaching discussions last season when the Chicago Bears began searching for a new head coach before ultimately hiring Ben Johnson. Now, his name has surfaced in connection with the New York Giants, who will begin their own coaching search after their final game of the season. Former college coaching legend Urban Meyer weighed in on this possibility, strongly recommending that Freeman remain in college football: “You stay in college 100%. You have controllables in college as a head coach. In the NFL, there’s so many uncontrollables that you don’t have.” Meyer, who experienced tremendous success at Florida and Ohio State before a disastrous stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, added that college offers more control and a better winning environment, especially at a prestigious program like Notre Dame.
When addressing these rumors directly in an interview with Complex News, Freeman demonstrated a thoughtful perspective on handling external speculation: “You don’t let somebody else’s noise become your noise… Somebody might say something to me, ‘Hey, your name’s up for this job.’ But that doesn’t have to be my noise.” This mature approach shows Freeman’s focus on his current responsibilities rather than getting distracted by future possibilities. He balanced his response by acknowledging the Giants’ storied history—”You talk about the history of the NFL, what a special organization”—while expressing gratitude for his current position at Notre Dame.
The New York Post has reported that the Giants hold Freeman “in high regard,” suggesting genuine interest from the organization. With Mike Kafka currently serving as interim head coach, the Giants appear to be conducting a thorough search for someone who can maximize their offensive talent and return them to playoff contention. This interest in Freeman isn’t surprising given his rapid rise in coaching circles and his success in elevating Notre Dame’s program during his tenure.
For Freeman, this situation represents both a professional compliment and a potential crossroads in his career trajectory. Still relatively early in his head coaching career at Notre Dame, he has already established himself as one of college football’s brightest coaching talents. The NFL interest validates his accomplishments while presenting him with a significant decision about which path offers the best environment for his coaching philosophy and personal goals. As Meyer pointed out, the college game provides certain advantages in terms of control and consistency that the NFL cannot match.
The coming weeks will likely bring more clarity to Freeman’s future, but his approach to handling the speculation demonstrates why he’s valued by both Notre Dame and NFL organizations. His ability to acknowledge the rumors while maintaining focus on his current responsibilities shows the leadership qualities that make him attractive to programs at both levels. Whether he remains at Notre Dame or eventually tests his abilities in the professional ranks, Freeman’s thoughtful navigation of this situation reflects the character and professionalism that have defined his coaching career thus far.
