Notre Dame's Freeman returning for 2026 despite reported NFL interest

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will return for the 2026 season despite reportedly receiving interest from multiple NFL teams.

Freeman informed two NFL franchises that had been in communication with him about his intent to remain with the Fighting Irish, sources told Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde. The New York Giants were one of the clubs interested in him, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman.

Notre Dame and Freeman agreed to a restructured contract with improved compensation that puts him among the top tier of college coaches, Forde adds. Freeman signed a new six-year contract last season, and his new deal reportedly locks him up through the 2031 campaign.

Freeman also received inquiries from multiple college programs with head-coaching vacancies, per Forde. However, Notre Dame's main competition apparently came from the NFL.

The 39-year-old has been the Fighting Irish's head coach since 2021 after Brian Kelly departed for LSU. Over his five-year stint at Notre Dame, Freeman has amassed a 43-12 record and led the team to the National Championship game during the 2024 season.

The Fighting Irish failed to make the College Football Playoff this campaign after posting a 10-2 record. Their losses to Miami and Texas A&M were by a combined four points.

Starting quarterback CJ Carr is expected to be back next season, and Notre Dame boasts the fourth-ranked 2026 recruiting class, according to ESPN's Craig Haubert.