Marcus Freeman has been making headlines following his remarkable performance as the head coach of the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Under his leadership, the team has secured a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. However, rumors have surfaced suggesting Freeman may be considered for a coaching role in the NFL next season.
Former Eagles defensive lineman Mike Golic shared his thoughts on Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame, emphasizing how well-suited the coach is for the program. Speaking on Friday’s episode of the “GoJo and Golic” show, Golic remarked, “For as much as people want to say they’re not relevant for not winning a title since 1988, Notre Dame Football will always be relevant, even when they didn’t win. But for the players and coaches now, their excitement is cool to see. They definitely have the right man in Marcus Freeman.”
“For as much as people who want to say they’re not relevant for not winning a title since 1988. Notre Dame Football will always be relevant even when they didn’t win. But for the players and coaches now, their excitement is cool to see. They definitely have the right man in… pic.twitter.com/yh2MyDW8bj
— GoJo and Golic (@GoJoandGolic) January 3, 2025
Freeman’s Fighting Irish recently delivered a dominant performance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, defeating Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl. Next, Notre Dame is set to face No. 4 Penn State in the CFP semifinal, with high hopes of progressing further. The last time Notre Dame won a national championship was during the 1988 season, but many believe Freeman could guide the team to a long-awaited title this year.
Amid the rumors of potential NFL interest, Freeman addressed the speculation during a Friday appearance on “SportsCenter.” He expressed his commitment to Notre Dame, highlighting a recent contract extension that solidifies his future with the program. “I don’t know when they announced it, I can’t remember, but about a week or two ago, they announced another long contract [for me] here at Notre Dame,” Freeman said. “So, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
Freeman’s contract extension, signed in December, ties him to Notre Dame through the 2030 season. The agreement also included a significant salary increase, boosting his annual pay from $7 million to $9 million.