Marcus Freeman confirms his commitment to the Irish

Despite failing to make the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame had a successful season, finishing with a ten-game winning streak and finishing the year 10-2. This led to NFL interest in head coach Marcus Freeman. Freeman confirmed his commitment to the Irish in a press conference on Wednesday.

“I’m the head coach at Notre Dame. The individual recognition and success and interest in the NFL is all a reflection of the team’s success and where this football program is at…I’ve used some of the interest from the NFL to personally gain wisdom from some GMs about your players and what they see as a successful coach…I’m taking these opportunities to be the best coach I can be Notre Dame football program. There is my way of thinking. I don’t control the noise, but I know where my focus is,” Freeman said during the conference call, per Mike Singer of On3Sports.

While the Notre Dame coach has made it clear he will remain with the team for the foreseeable future, questions about his possible move to the NFL will continue. The next question was whether he had to reconsider when other jobs opened up, possibly referring to Freeman’s recent connection to Pittsburgh Steelers trade Mike Tomlin.

“I didn’t have to reevaluate. The only statement I made was, ‘Run it back.’ I don’t have to come out with a statement every time one of these jobs comes up … I hope this is something we have to address every year because it will mean we have success here at Notre Dame,” Freeman replied, clearly trying to refocus the line of questioning on the team.

The NFL questions didn’t stop there, though, as he addressed the transfer portal and bowl bounce before the next NFL question came up. He was asked if he wanted to be an NFL coach later in his career.

“I’ve never done it. I don’t know enough about it. Maybe in the future, if the time is right and if it’s what I think is right for me, then maybe I’ll continue it. But I don’t like to waste time thinking about things that aren’t in front of me,” said the Irish coach.

Although the NFL is now on the table for this season, it could be an option in the future. Until then, Freeman will focus on the Irish’s 2026 campaign as they hope to return to the playoffs after a one-year layoff.