Skip to main content
Notre Dame

Newsstand: ESPN names Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman a candidate for SEC opening

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly13 hours agoByKyleKelly
marcus freeman-3
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

On3 is not the only outlet linking Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman to the recently opened Florida Gators head coaching position.

On Sunday, after the Gators relieved fourth-year coach Billy Napier of his duties, ESPN named its top candidates for the position. Freeman was one of the five mentioned.

“Every coaching search, especially one for a coveted job such as Florida’s, needs a shoot-your-shot candidate or two,” ESPN college football reporter Adam Rittenberg said. “Freeman seems very happy at Notre Dame, which has rewarded him financially and probably will continue to do so this offseason, especially if he returns to the CFP.

“Notre Dame certainly doesn’t want to lose a second consecutive coach to an SEC team, but Freeman, 39, is one of the hottest coaches on the market and would energize Florida with his on-field track record and his recruiting approach.

“The Dayton, Ohio, native has spent his entire playing and coaching career in two states — Ohio and Indiana — and would have to adjust to life in the SEC. But he has recruited nationally and shown he can win consistently, especially during last season’s playoff run.

“Florida would be foolish not to at least gauge his interest.”

It is not the first time Freeman has been suggested to a head coaching gig elsewhere. Last week, after Penn State fired coach James Franklin, On3 college football reporter Pete Nakos reported that the Nittany Lions may make a run at Freeman. Last season, he was also reportedly a candidate for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching vacancy.

But as Rittenberg alluded to, Freeman received a lucrative contract extension last season. And with the Irish back in College Football Playoff contention, he is positioning himself for another pay raise. Still, the odds point to him staying in South Bend — not ending up in Gainesville or somewhere else.

Notre Dame Posts of the Weekend

Irish junior running back Jeremiyah Love caught the college football world by storm Saturday night. 

The Irish’s odds of making the College Football Playoff are increasing. 

Joe Montana served Guinness at the Linebacker Lounge.

Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend

“I think last night was a big-time statement win, and it will set the tone for the rest of the year. I’m extremely excited to see us continue the streak. Playoff-bound.”

— Irish four-star linebacker commit Thomas Davis Jr. (Charlotte, N.C.) on Notre Dame’s win over USC. 

Notre Dame Headlines of the Weekend