Notre Dame football news: Marcus Freeman breaks silence on managing constant NFL rumors

Marcus Freeman is keeping the NFL chatter in perspective. The star Notre Dame head coach has received a lot of attention for his success with the Fighting Irish over the past few seasons, including a run to the National Championship in 2024.

But in an interview on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, Freeman admits that he looked into the possibility of what it would take to be an NFL coach and the opportunities in front of him.

“The year before, there was a little bit of chatter. But you’re in the playoffs and that’s your only focus,” Freeman said to Josh Pate. “This year got really loud after the end of the regular season. I’ve never been in this position where we’re not playing the bowl game or playing in the playoffs. So I did, I took a minute to really say, ‘What is this opportunity to be an NFL head coach?’ I’ve never coached the NFL. I wanted to know what they look for, what they think it takes to be successful. And I gained some valuable knowledge.”

Freeman says amid the rumors, he’s always kept his intentions honest with his players, as well as Notre Dame stakeholders.

“I was always honest with our players. If they asked, I talked to them and said, ‘Listen, guys, I’m head coach of Notre Dame and I can’t control what opportunities or what people are saying outside of this building.’ And I was always in communication with our athletic director and my family.”

Even amid the rumors, he reaffirmed his commitment to Notre Dame.

But for me the opportunity to be the head coach of this university was one that I wasn’t ready to let go. I love this place. I love, more importantly, the people here, the opportunity to coach these young men – many of them you’ve recruited for multiple years. That’s just something I’m not ready to let go of. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”