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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman already clarified his coaching future once, back in the wintertime, but the NFL rumors have not stopped.
Freeman, with links to multiple NFL openings during the coaching carousel, simply wrote, “2026…run it back,” on X, announcing his decision to stay with the Fighting Irish.
However, he admitted that openings with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers over the offseason intrigued him.
Now, with the 2026 season on the horizon, Freeman has doubled down on his call to stay with Notre Dame, with his focus seemingly fully on the college football program.
“I’m all-in. I’ve been all-in,” Freeman said. “I don’t see myself being the head coach or coaching anywhere else. There were times when I wanted to listen to some other people, and I did. It confirmed that this is the place I want to be.
“I plan on being here as long as I can. If I do a good enough job and I’m able and wanted to be the head coach here, I want to stay the head coach here.”
How Notre Dame Is Keeping Freeman Happy
The program, meanwhile, has done nothing but state its confidence in Freeman. Athletic director Pete Bevacqua issued Freeman a new deal that is paying him nearly $12 million per year, up there with the other top head coaches.
Bevacqua has made it clear that the team will spare no expense to keep their man happy and committed to Notre Dame.
“I make sure that he knows that he will be where he deserves to be, and that is at the top, top, top tier of college football coaches when it comes to compensation every year,” Bevacqua said.
“I can say with 100 percent certainty he feels that way, and Notre Dame is totally aligned around the importance of college football for Notre Dame.”
Going forward, Notre Dame will look to keep pushing the program forward and, at the very least, back into the College Football Playoffs.
Back in 2024, he steered the team into the College Football Championship game through aggressive decision-making, which has become a signature calling card of his.
Freeman is left with the task of making good on the faith that Notre Dame has bestowed upon him.
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