After leading Notre Dame to a national championship appearance, it’s no surprise Marcus Freeman drew NFL interest—including rumors linking him to the Chicago Bears. But instead of making the jump to the pros, Freeman recommitted to South Bend, signing an extension through 2030. His reason? It goes deeper than loyalty—it’s about creating a better future for college football.
In a recent appearance on The Joel Klatt Show, Freeman opened up about what it takes to keep elite coaches in the college game. “I always think about our staff,” he said. “How do I do the best job possible to make sure they enjoy coming to work here?” For Freeman, that means creating balance in a profession that often demands 24/7 availability, especially during a relentless calendar packed with recruiting, the transfer portal, and spring football.
Freeman’s approach is as much about people as it is about programs. He’s seen firsthand how burnout impacts assistant coaches—and how the lack of structure can stunt the growth of players. Reflecting on his own journey at Ohio State, where he waited behind NFL-caliber talent, Freeman emphasized the value of staying, learning, and overcoming adversity.
His call is clear: restructure the calendar, limit transfer portal chaos, and bring back development over instant gratification. “I just don’t want a structure where, when things get hard, it’s easy to pick up and leave,” he said.
Freeman isn’t just shaping Notre Dame—he’s offering a blueprint to preserve what makes college football special. If more programs adopt his vision of balance, mentorship, and resilience, it might just keep rising stars like him on the sideline for years to come.