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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, getting bounced from the College Football Playoff and then forfeiting a bowl game, may have ended their regular season in the sport, but the rumors surrounding head coach Marcus Freeman are still as hot as ever.
Yes, the college football coaching carousel ended its final ride. Lane Kiffin went to LSU, Jon Sumrall took the job at Florida, and Matt Campbell is the new sheriff at Penn State. But the rumors surrounding Freeman don’t involve another school, rather the NFL.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman sings the Alma Mater after beating the Boise State Broncos at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 4, 2025. (Michael Caterina/Imagn Images)
Freeman’s name has been in the rumor mill since last season after the Chicago Bears began their search for a new head coach and before they ultimately hired Ben Johnson. Now, Freeman’s name has been linked to the New York Giants’ job as they look to begin their own head coaching hunt when the clock hits triple zero in their Week 18 game.
Urban Meyer had some thoughts about Freeman possibly jumping to the NFL. Meyer coached Florida and Ohio State to national championships, but completely flamed out in his one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I would say, ‘You stay 100% in college.’ You have controllables in college as a head coach. In the NFL, there are so many uncontrollables that you don’t have, whether it’s the GM, the owner … In college, it’s you,” he said on FOX Sports’ “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
“Plus, you’re going to lose in the NFL. It’s built—and I’m not sure about the Marcus I know—he can’t stand losing, just like I can’t stand losing. You win at Notre Dame.”
Former Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer and former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier speak before the news conference at the Heavener Football Training Center at the University of Florida on Dec. 1, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)
BILL BELICHICK RELEASES STATEMENT INSISTING HE WILL NOT TRY NFL COACHING JOB
Freeman spoke to Complex News about the possibility of jumping to the NFL.
“I often, not all the time, but when I feel like I can weave that into a message to the players I’m reaching out to, and I say, ‘You don’t let other people’s noise become your noise.’ You don’t have to let someone else’s noise become my noise, do you? And somebody might say something to me, ‘Hey, your name’s ready for this job, okay?’ But it doesn’t have to be my noise. It doesn’t have to be the things I think about. I have to think about the value in the moment of the opportunity we have, but also use it as a feeling of gratitude.
“One, I have the utmost respect for the Giants organization. You talk about the history of the NFL, what a special organization. But two, it’s also gratitude for the job that you have because you wouldn’t have said that if we stunk. So I know we’re in this position because of the people. It’s not one person. It’s because of the people.”
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after an Irish touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
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Freeman is someone the Giants have “high regard,” the New York Post reported.
The Giants have Mike Kafka as the interim head coach, but with the immense talent on offense, a solid hire could lift the team back to the playoffs.
