Marcus Freeman has signed a four-year extension with Notre Dame, securing his role as head coach for another six years. The deal places Freeman among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
In his third season, Freeman has posted a 30-9 overall record as head coach. The Irish finished the 2024 regular season 11-1, earning a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. They will host No. 8 Indiana (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) in a highly anticipated first-round matchup on Friday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. in South Bend.
Freeman’s squad will need to execute with precision, especially on offense, as Indiana’s defense has been one of the best in the nation. The winner will move on to face No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, putting them just one step away from a possible national championship.
Freeman took over as head coach in December 2021 after Brian Kelly’s departure to LSU. In his first season, 2022, Freeman led the Irish to a 9-4 record, highlighted by wins over four ranked teams, including a victory over fifth-ranked Clemson. Notre Dame capped that season with a win over No. 19 South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.
In 2023, the addition of transfer quarterback Sam Hartman raised expectations for the Irish. Freeman guided Notre Dame to a 9-3 regular season. The team ended the year with a 40-8 win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
Looking ahead to next season, Freeman has no plans to return to the transfer portal for a quarterback. With Steve Angeli, Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr and Anthony Rezac already on the roster, Freeman will focus on developing his first non-“plug-and-play” starting quarterback. This will be a crucial step in building long-term success for the program.
