Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has decided to remain with the Fighting Irish through the 2026 season, ending weeks of speculation that he could be leaving for a spot in the NFL.
Freeman confirmed his decision Monday on social media, posting, “2026…run it back. Go Irish.” The announcement came amid strong interest from multiple NFL teams, including the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. Sources confirmed Freeman has agreed to a revised contract with Notre Dame that enhances his compensation and extends his deal by one additional year, keeping him under contract through 2031. While financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement places Freeman among the highest-paid coaches in college football. (Sports Illustrated and ESPN first reported details of the restructuring.)
The 39-year-old coach has emerged as one of the sport’s most accomplished young leaders. Freeman owns a 43–12 record in five seasons, including a trip to the national championship game in January. Notre Dame went 10–2 this season, losing narrowly to playoff teams Miami and Texas A&M, and finished just outside the College Football Playoff amid controversy. The Irish elected to opt out of a bowl game and will carry a 10-game winning streak into next season.
Freeman replaced Brian Kelly in late 2021 after serving as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. A former All-Big Ten linebacker at Ohio State under Jim Tressel, Freeman was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft and later coached at Cincinnati, Purdue and Kent State. Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua had made retaining Freeman a top priority, emphasizing the school’s commitment to him earlier this month: “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. And I can say with 100% certainty he feels that way, and Notre Dame is totally aligned around the importance of college football for Notre Dame. We’re totally aligned on how he is the perfect coach for Notre Dame.” Bevacqua has described Freeman’s contract as a “living, breathing document” that may be adjusted annually to keep him at the top tier of coaching compensation.
Freeman’s résumé already places him among the most successful coaches in Notre Dame history. His .782 winning percentage ranks sixth all-time at the school and trails only legends Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and Ara Parseghian among coaches with at least 50 games. He also posted a school-record 24 wins over the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
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