Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman shuts door on NFL interest, announces return to school

Notre Dame Fighting Irish caput shot coach Marcus Freeman unopen nan doorway connected NFL opportunities connected Monday, announcing he will beryllium backmost pinch nan programme for 2026.

Freeman made nan announcement successful a station connected X.

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Notre Dame caput coach Marcus Freeman celebrates pinch his players aft winning a NCAA shot crippled 36-7 against NC State astatine Notre Dame Stadium connected Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, successful South Bend, Indiana. (MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

"2026…run it back," Freeman wrote. "Go Irish."

Freeman’s sanction has popped up successful nan rumor mill since past play aft nan Chicago Bears started their pursuit of a caller caput coach and earlier they yet hired Ben Johnson. Freeman’s sanction was linked to the New York Giants’ job, arsenic they will embark connected their ain head-coaching pursuit erstwhile nan timepiece hits triple zeroes successful their Week 18 game.

The fume astir nan rumors grew erstwhile Notre Dame was near retired of nan College Football Playoff and opted retired of nan vessel game. The NFL play has 1 much week successful its regular play and teams will commencement to make head-coaching decisions very soon.

He antecedently said to Complex News about nan anticipation of jumping to nan NFL.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish caput coach Marcus Freeman leads nan squad from nan locker room to play nan Pittsburgh Panthers astatine Acrisure Stadium connected Nov. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)

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"I often, not each nan time, but erstwhile I consciousness for illustration I tin weave it into a connection to nan players I do reside and I say, ‘You don’t fto personification else’s sound go your noise.’ You don’t person to let personification else’s sound go my noise, right? And personification mightiness opportunity thing to me, ‘Hey, your name’s up for this job, OK?’ But that doesn’t person to beryllium my noise. That doesn’t person to beryllium nan things I deliberation about. I request to deliberation astir worth successful nan infinitesimal for nan opportunity that we person but besides usage it arsenic a consciousness of gratitude.

"One, I person nan utmost respect for nan Giants organization. You talk astir nan history of nan NFL, what a typical organization. But two, it’s besides gratitude for nan occupation you person because you wouldn’t person said that if we stunk. So, I cognize we’re successful this position because of nan people. It’s not a person. It’s because of nan people."

Notre Dame caput coach Marcus Freeman talks during media time up of nan College Football Playoff National Championship crippled Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, successful Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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For now, Freeman will effort to get backmost into contention for a nationalist championship.

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