Nov 20, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman sits on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Just two days after Brian Kelly shockingly left Notre Dame to become head coach at LSU, Notre Dame has reportedly found Kelly’s replacement.

Marcus Freeman will be named head coach at Notre Dame, according to several reports.

Freeman, 35, was the Notre Dame defensive coordinator and linebackers coach this season, after holding the same position at Cincinnati from 2017-20.

The former NFL fifth-round pick — by the Chicago Bears in 2009– has been viewed as one of the hottest coaching prospects in the country, and he was immediately rumored to be one of the favorites for the Notre Dame job once Kelly left. Additionally, it was reported that Kelly and LSU wanted to make Freeman the highest-paid coordinator.

So, Notre Dame just choosing to go with Freeman isn’t all that shocking, even with the Luke Fickell rumors.

Additionally, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is staying at Notre Dame.

Here’s a sampling of how the college football world reacted to the Freeman news:

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.