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.
Marcus Freeman is expected to be the next head coach at Notre Dame, sources tell @On3sports https://t.co/k5bN5NhJoE
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 2, 2021
I can now confirm through multiple sources that Marcus Freeman will become the next Head Coach at the University of Notre Dame.
All eyes now turn to Tommy Rees who is deciding between LSU and Notre Dame. #PayTommyRees
— Mick Assaf (@mickassaf) December 1, 2021
Notre Dame DC Marcus Freeman is expected to become the next head coach at ND, per source. The move was first reported by @mickassaf.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 2, 2021
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.
Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees is remaining at the school, sources tell @SINow. He’s turned down an opportunity to move with Brian Kelly to #LSU.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 2, 2021
Here’s a sampling of how the college football world reacted to the Freeman news:
This guy gets it pic.twitter.com/D8StYMLCL6
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) December 2, 2021
All week sources indicated to The Athletic that Notre Dame retaining Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator would be critical to promoting Marcus Freeman to head coach. Box one has been checked, per @Matt_Fortuna
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) December 2, 2021
Notre Dame will be led by 35 year old Marcus Freeman who’ll have a 29 year old offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees. Players fired up. New era, new vibe in South Bend.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 2, 2021
Anyone surprised by Notre Dame handing the keys over to Marcus Freeman has clearly never met Marcus Freeman.
— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) December 2, 2021
If Freeman is hired as HC and Tommy is retained as OC, the Spring Game is going to be PACKED with alumni like never before. ☘️
— @kyle_brindza (@kyle_brindza) December 2, 2021
Notre Dame will be recruiting at a top 5 level every single year with Marcus Freeman at Head Coach.
It’s a different type of monster with him at the helm.
These future Notre Dame teams will match up in talent with every school in the country. It’s going to be fun.
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) December 2, 2021
Never been a bigger fan of Notre Dame football in my life.
Let the MARCUS FREEMAN era begin!
— jordan cornette (@jordancornette) December 2, 2021
marcus freeman is very young but still somehow sean mcvay is younger
— Jessica Smetana (@jessica_smetana) December 2, 2021
I'm not 100% positive but I believe Marcus Freeman is the first big-time head coach with a profile in the Rivals database. pic.twitter.com/OgnPXwca13
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 2, 2021
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.