Notre Dame has scored a massive victory off the field as head coach Marcus Freeman, one of college football’s hottest commodities, has decided to stay in South Bend for the 2026 season and beyond. Freeman’s decision, announced on December 29, 2025, comes after weeks of speculation and confirmed interest from several NFL franchises, notably the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans. The news was met with widespread relief and excitement among Notre Dame fans, as Freeman’s leadership has propelled the Fighting Irish to national prominence and stability at a time when the college football coaching landscape is in upheaval.
Freeman himself made his intentions crystal clear with a succinct social media post: “2026…run it back. Go Irish ☘️” This message, shared across platforms, ended the swirling rumors and sent a wave of optimism through the Notre Dame community. According to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde and multiple other sources, Freeman and the university have agreed to a restructured contract that places him among the top tier of college football coaches in terms of compensation. Though the exact terms remain undisclosed, insiders report that the deal extends Freeman’s tenure through 2031, adding another year to his previous six-year contract.
The 39-year-old Freeman has been nothing short of a revelation since taking over as Notre Dame’s head coach in 2021. Promoted from defensive coordinator after Brian Kelly’s departure to LSU, Freeman quickly won over players, alumni, and fans alike. His record speaks volumes: a sparkling 43-12 mark over four seasons, including an extraordinary 24-4 run over the past two years. In 2025, Notre Dame started the season 0-2 but rebounded with ten straight victories, finishing 10-2. Both losses came by razor-thin margins to playoff-bound teams, Miami and Texas A&M, with a combined deficit of just four points.
Despite that impressive run and a No. 11 finish in the final College Football Playoff (CFP) standings, the Irish were controversially excluded from the playoff bracket. The committee’s decision drew strong reactions from Notre Dame’s athletic director Pete Bevacqua and led the program to decline all bowl invitations, choosing instead to focus on the future. “It was a tough pill to swallow,” Bevacqua admitted, “but it’s only going to make us hungrier for next year.”
Freeman’s ability to rally his team after adversity has not gone unnoticed. The Irish’s appearance in the national championship game in January 2025, where they fell to Ohio State, marked a return to the sport’s biggest stage and cemented Freeman’s status as one of college football’s fastest rising coaches. “Everybody has eyes on Marcus,” Bevacqua said earlier this month. “College has eyes on Marcus. NFL has eyes on Marcus. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the next Leo DiCaprio movie with Martin Scorsese. Marcus is Marcus. All the credit to him, he deserves it. He is the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, full stop.”
That high praise is matched by the university’s financial commitment. Bevacqua emphasized that Freeman’s contract is a “living, breathing document” designed to ensure he remains among the highest-paid coaches in the nation. “I make sure that he knows that he will be where he deserves to be, and that is at the top, top, top tier of college football coaches when it comes to compensation every year,” Bevacqua stated. “He knows he has that commitment from me, and more important from the university.”
Freeman’s decision to stay at Notre Dame comes at a time of significant volatility in the college coaching ranks. Powerhouse programs such as Ole Miss, LSU, Michigan, and Penn State have all made high-profile coaching changes in 2025. Notre Dame’s ability to retain Freeman provides a rare measure of stability and continuity, factors that could prove decisive as the Irish reload for another title run.
Freeman’s coaching prowess is matched by his recruiting acumen. The incoming 2026 signing class is ranked fourth nationally by 247Sports and features three five-star prospects: edge rusher Rodney Dunham, tight end Ian Premer, and safety Joey O’Brien. With the NCAA transfer portal opening on January 2, 2026, Freeman and his staff are poised to address any remaining roster needs. The Irish will also benefit from the return of quarterback CJ Carr, who will enter his second season as the starter, and a strong nucleus of defensive talent. Although the team will lose All-America running back Jeremiyah Love and several other key contributors to the NFL, the overall roster outlook remains bright.
Freeman’s own journey adds another layer of intrigue to the story. A former All-Big Ten linebacker at Ohio State, he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Though he never appeared in an NFL game, he spent time on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans before retiring due to an enlarged heart. That brush with the professional ranks, combined with his rapid rise through the college coaching world, made him a natural target for NFL teams seeking fresh leadership.
When asked about the NFL interest, Freeman responded with humility and gratitude. “Well, I think the gratitude you have for being mentioned by an organization like that. I have a lot of respect for all NFL teams, but the history of the Giants is tremendous,” he said before Christmas. “It reminds me of the honor I have to be in the position I’m in. You wouldn’t have said that statement if I didn’t have this job and we weren’t having success. It’s a reminder for me that the people in our program, the work they put in results in an output that’s successful.”
Notre Dame’s 2026 campaign is already generating buzz. With a favorable schedule that includes only three true road games (North Carolina, Syracuse, and Purdue) and neutral-site contests against Wisconsin and Navy, the Irish are well-positioned to make another playoff push. The pain of last season’s playoff snub lingers, but that disappointment may prove to be the fuel Freeman and his squad need to take the next step.
As the dust settles on a turbulent offseason in college football, Notre Dame fans can exhale. Marcus Freeman, the architect of the program’s recent resurgence, is staying put—ready to “run it back” and chase the elusive national championship. With stability at the top, elite recruiting, and a hungry roster, the Fighting Irish are primed to be a force in 2026. The college football world will be watching closely.
