Marcus Freeman to remain Notre Dame football coach, turning down NFL
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The leader of Notre Dame football announced he isn't going anywhere despite speculation and interest of NFL head coach openings.
Marcus Freeman simply wrote, "2026…run it back Go Irish," in a post to X on Monday. The proclamation comes 20 days after Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua relayed his commitment to keeping Freeman as Fighting Irish football coach.
“One of my main obligations and responsibilities to this university is to make sure Marcus wakes up every day knowing that he is supported and valued by Notre Dame,” Bevacqua said Dec. 9. “I can say with 100% certainty he feels that way.”
That commitment was reportedly met with action. Freeman's contract was restructured to make him among "top tier" compensation packages for college football coaches, Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde reported, and his deal will run through 2031 — adding a year to his deal.
The New York Giants and Tennessee Titans had in-season coach firings in 2025. Other openings may occur after the season ends Jan. 4.
Freeman's previous contract carried an estimated salary of $9.5 million — well shy of the deal Indiana coach Curt Cignetti signed in October that elevated him to a top-5 paid college football coach with an average annual value of $11.7 million. Though Notre Dame is not subject to open records requests as a private university, it stands to reason that a competitive raise was given.
“I would never say we wouldn’t match anything when it comes to Marcus,” Bevacqua said previously. “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.
“I view his contract, although a multiyear contract, as a living, breathing document that we will revise every year as need be to make sure he’s where he deserves to be. He knows he has that commitment from me and more importantly from the university.”
Freeman, 39, is 43-12 in five seasons as Irish coach. He led them to the College Football Playoff national championship game last season, finishing 14-2 after a loss to Ohio State, before being left out of the CFP in 2025 following a 10-2 year. Notre Dame's two losses were to Miami (Florida) and Texas A&M, which met in the first round, a Hurricanes win.
Notre Dame is 5-2 in postseason games under Freeman. The Irish declined a bowl invitation after their exclusion from the CFP in 2025.
2026…run it back
Go Irish ☘️
— Marcus Freeman (@Marcus_Freeman1) December 29, 2025
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Marcus Freeman to stay as Notre Dame football coach, turns down NFL coach jobs
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