Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542428
30 FEBRUARY 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY JACK SOBLE W ith four words, Marcus Free- man calmed the fears — and in some cases, existential dread — of the Notre Dame fan base. With four words (really, three words and a year), Freeman shut down interest from multiple NFL teams and commit- ted to a fifth season in South Bend, one that should involve another push for the College Football Playoff and eventually the national championship. "2026 … run it back," Freeman posted on social media at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 29. He added, "Go Irish," with a shamrock emoji for good measure. Freeman will return in 2026, report- edly with an amended and enhanced contract. The New York Giants were in- terested, which was well known. But ac- cording to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and even Pittsburgh Steelers had "inter- nal conversations" about the 40-year- old head coach (his birthday was Jan. 10). The NFL wants Freeman, and it's easy to see why. "[Freeman] has spent the past four years leading Notre Dame, taking the Irish to the national championship game last season," Russini wrote Dec. 13. "And though he has never coached in the NFL, his leadership, people skills and ability to thrive in one of the most high-profile jobs in the country are what's drawing the interest of general managers and owners." There would undoubtedly be a learn- ing curve for Freeman while he adapted to the NFL game, as there was when he took the Notre Dame job. The recent history of college head coaches making the jump to the NFL is murky at best; after Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh, there is a steep drop-off. But Freeman is the unique type of coach and person, much like Carroll and Harbaugh, who can make it at both lev- els. His biggest strengths in college are recruiting, motivating and developing young people, but he is more than smart enough to adapt his leadership style to grown men. The NFL sees that, and it's seen CEO- type, motivator-style coaches like the Detroit Lions' Dan Campbell succeed at the highest level. It's no surprise the league is all over Freeman, and by all ac- counts, he's willing to listen. However, Freeman also knew he could return to a Notre Dame team that's set up for a national championship run. CJ Carr will be back, and he'll be Freeman's first returning starter at quarterback. So will Leonard Moore, and if several other veteran starters also decide to forgo the NFL Draft for one more year, the Fight- ing Irish are loaded on defense like they were when they advanced to the na- tional title game in 2024. In other words, the timing wasn't right to leave Notre Dame, which has made it clear it will do whatever it takes to keep Freeman happy. "It's one of my main obligations and responsibilities to this university: to make sure Marcus wakes up every day knowing that he is supported and val- ued by Notre Dame," Irish athletics di- rector Pete Bevacqua said. "And I can say with 100 percent certainty he feels that way." As for his compensation, Irish fans RUN IT BACK Marcus Freeman turned down NFL interest and will return to Notre Dame in 2026 Freeman's 2026 team is positioned to be a national title contender with the first returning starter at quarterback in his Notre Dame tenure in CJ Carr. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER