Marcus Freeman, head coach of the University of Notre Dame football team, recently scored a better deal with the university. This contract ensures that he’ll be back in 2026. At 39, Freeman has quickly established himself as one of the rising stars in college football. He moved up to head coach when Brian Kelly left for Notre Dame prior to the 2021 season. Freeman has a remarkable track record of 43-12 in four seasons. Now, he wants to continue helping the Fighting Irish walk off the field victorious.
Freeman’s path to South Bend has featured impactful coaching stops at Cincinnati, Purdue and Kent State. Of course, it helps that he’s a former Ohio State linebacker, which has helped to give him a reputation as a hard-nosed tactician on the field. Just earlier this offseason, Freeman was rumored to be an ideal candidate for openings in the NFL, most notably with the New York Giants. The university though realized this level of interest and attention and acted to double down on their commitment to him.
Freeman’s new contract is described as a “living, breathing document.” This means his contract should be renegotiated every year based on his success and how the college football landscape is changing. His compensation will immediately rank among the highest in the state, if not the country, for college football coaches. This strategic move unmistakably reinforces his value to Notre Dame.
He made his point very plainly in a post on X. He shared his dedication to the university with the declaration, “2026…run it back.” This is a powerful message that fans and supporters respond to as they see his commitment to the team and university.
In remarks highlighting the university’s support for Freeman, Jack Bevacqua, a key figure at Notre Dame, stated, “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 emphasized Freeman’s significance by declaring him “the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, full stop.”
Freeman’s dedication to the program goes far beyond the text of any contract. He expressed his enthusiasm with a simple but impactful statement: “Go Irish.” This speaks not just to his commitment to the program, but to his relationship with the greater Notre Dame community.
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