Marcus Freeman named Dick Corbett Head Football Coach

[jpachuta33]

 

[Blazers46]

 

[NDohio]

MFMF goes on vacation - all of Irish nation is freaking out cause he hasn’t said anything about his status for 2026.

MFMF tweets about 2026 - Irish nation freaks out cause of the wording of the tweet and that it only mentions 2026.

🙄

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The fact that this is happening today, that we get good news, and you have a handful of people not being able to react in a positive manner really comes down to one undeniable fact: the issue is with these particular individuals and how they wallow in their fandom. Has nothing to do with ND, Pete, Coach Free. There are dudes here on this message board and throughout the fanbase that do not celebrate being an ND fan. They straight up mourn it and carry it like some kind of fucking burden.

Make me understand, but right now, this is tremendous sports news in my house. My text messages are blowing up with joy. This is awesome.

 

[IrishLax]

Most college coaches stay somewhere for 8-10 years, max. Historically most ND coaches have shorter tenures than that. It's not realistic to expect him to be a Paterno or Snyder.

Next year is Year 5. I think the situation is not binary "will be or won't be leave" ... it's going to be near impossible for a college job to offer him something he doesn't have right now (Ohio State being big asterisk).

So that leaves the NFL. I posted the stats before, but it's rare for NFL teams to hire college coaches. He might get an offer next year that he's interested in or he might not. He might win a championship next year and be really attractive for some place or he might not. No one can really see 3+ years into the future, the key is understanding that it "takes two to tango".

 

[Rudy89]

So if a coach who has interest from other teams doesn’t say anything it’s bad. But if he does say anything, also bad?

I do think playing devil’s advocate that we should have some names at the ready just in case he does leave so we aren’t in the position we would’ve been in had he left this year with really no respectable options at the ready.

 

[tirishman505]

Most college coaches stay somewhere for 8-10 years, max. Historically most ND coaches have shorter tenures than that. It's not realistic to expect him to be a Paterno or Snyder.

Next year is Year 5. I think the situation is not binary "will be or won't be leave" ... it's going to be near impossible for a college job to offer him something he doesn't have right now (Ohio State being big asterisk).

So that leaves the NFL. I posted the stats before, but it's rare for NFL teams to hire college coaches. He might get an offer next year that he's interested in or he might not. He might win a championship next year and be really attractive for some place or he might not. No one can really see 3+ years into the future, the key is understanding that it "takes two to tango".

This is how I think about it too. Ryan Day was on a similar trajectory and I remember a number of years where Michigan fans would swear he was leaving for the NFL. Of course, CFB is now a year-to-year thing for everyone so history might not repeat but it certainly does rhyme.

 

[IA4irish]

Care to elaborate a little further?

Sure. The message was just kind of weird from Freeman in my opinion. You have a six year contract but you say “run it back?” That just seems more fitting of a player who is coming back for their senior year.

Also, beat writers have been commenting pretty regularly that Freeman has real NFL interest. Omalley went so far as to say that a group of people in the know were out to dinner. Someone proposed a bet if freeman would be at ND after 2027 (so two more years). no one would take the bet.

I love Freeman and the type of coach he is. Realistically I don’t think he is here much longer

 

[Kingbish01]

Okay, he's back....and I'm stoked. So now let's play devils advocate some. What traits does MF have that would make him a great NFL coach? Because the majority of what makes him a dynamic/amazing college coach doesn't translate to the NFL.

Again, he beat PSU and UGA. We've been dying for a couple bowl wins like that, so we finally got them, AMEN. But we've seen our fair share of negatives too. First bowl game coached, blew a huge lead...lost a few head scratcher games (Marshall/NIU) and didn't win either of our two big games this year.

What makes him the top NFL candidate for some teams?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Okay, he's back....and I'm stoked. So now let's play devils advocate some. What traits does MF have that would make him a great NFL coach? Because the majority of what makes him a dynamic/amazing college coach doesn't translate to the NFL.

Again, he beat PSU and UGA. We've been dying for a couple bowl wins like that, so we finally got them, AMEN. But we've seen our fair share of negatives too. First bowl game coached, blew a huge lead...lost a few head scratcher games (Marshall/NIU) and didn't win either of our two big games this year.

What makes him the top NFL candidate for some teams?

One tangible trait is Freeman's devotion to special teams. NFL GM's love that.

 

[Dale]

I do think playing devil’s advocate that we should have some names at the ready just in case he does leave so we aren’t in the position we would’ve been in had he left this year with really no respectable options at the ready.

Every AD in the country always has a list. We don’t need interpretation what Freeman said to spur action on that.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Every AD in the country always has a list. We don’t need interpretation what Freeman said to spur action on that.

Exactly. Some posters either are only happy if miserable, or unable to grasp the reality that ND is close to becoming truly elite again. This is not the ND of Davie/Ty/Weis/Kelly.

 

[Huntr]

Even tho this was expected by like 90% of us, it still does feel good to get some confirmation.

Can't wait for '26. LFG.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Let's be completely honest with ourselves: if he had put out "2026-2032....Run It Back. Irish for Life", your crusty candy ass twats would still interpret it the way you want, which is that he *might* leave and that he probably won't stay for the rest of his life or yours.

Not to mention, that kind of post hits like complete shit on social media.

Just admit your misery because it's plainly obvious to everyone and we can all move on into the spring.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Best news ever, but Good Lord people.


Many have already shifted from


“He’s coming back, awesome”

to

“This sounds like it’s only for next year, not awesome”


We have our coach. That’s it. That’s all we need to know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Irish#1]

I will say the fact that a coach under contract has to put out he resigned say that Pete better start working on his next head coach list. It might not be next year but it’s coming.

You know that even if he signed let’s say a new 7 year contract, that speculation is going to be an annual occurrence. Coaches still under contract leave all the time.

 

[LifelongFan]

Freeman is back for 2026. When/if Freeman does go to the NFL, the program will be in a significantly better place than it was when he took over.

 

[IrishLax]

Every AD in the country always has a list. We don’t need interpretation what Freeman said to spur action on that.

Yup, and the list right now is Clark Lea and I honestly don't think you'd have to go to name #2. I hope he keeps winning at Vandy.

 

[irish2104]

He is signed for 7 years per Pat Forde si article… with raise and I’m sure other requests

 

[arrowryan]

Most college coaches stay somewhere for 8-10 years, max. Historically most ND coaches have shorter tenures than that. It's not realistic to expect him to be a Paterno or Snyder.

Next year is Year 5. I think the situation is not binary "will be or won't be leave" ... it's going to be near impossible for a college job to offer him something he doesn't have right now (Ohio State being big asterisk).

So that leaves the NFL. I posted the stats before, but it's rare for NFL teams to hire college coaches. He might get an offer next year that he's interested in or he might not. He might win a championship next year and be really attractive for some place or he might not. No one can really see 3+ years into the future, the key is understanding that it "takes two to tango".

This is probably a biased response, but I don’t think the HC position for the Giants, Titans, etc is better than what Notre Dame is right now.

It’s like leaving a high level coordinator position to go fail as a HC at a MAC school.

 

[1776]

The sooner that people come to grips with the fact that MF is going to jump to the NFL, the better. He clearly wants to get us a title before he makes the jump. It feels like his love for the University and delivering that to solidify his legacy is the only thing that is stopping him from doing it now.

This is not bed wetting or pessimism. We should be thankful for what he was able to do here, because it is gonna take awhile to reload when he finally does go.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Freeman is back for 2026. When/if Freeman does go to the NFL, the program will be in a significantly better place than it was when he took over.

He has shown this can still be a top 5 job with the right people running it.

There was lots of skepticism before he woke up the sleeping dragon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Certainly hope this includes a massive buyout

Buyouts aren’t going to keep a coach from leaving should he choose to leave. If they did, no coach would sign it. The new organization will pay it off & everyone moves on. Buyouts are a bigger issue when a school decides to fire a coach (i.e., Jimbo or BK).

 

[IrishBryan77]

The sooner that people come to grips with the fact that MF is going to jump to the NFL, the better. He clearly wants to get us a title before he makes the jump. It feels like his love for the University and delivering that to solidify his legacy is the only thing that is stopping him from doing it now.

This is not bed wetting or pessimism. We should be thankful for what he was able to do here, because it is gonna take awhile to reload when he finally does go.

If he does leave I don't think it takes a long time to rebuild. Especially if we get the right coach. Brian Kelly left the cupboards completely bare for Freeman. There may be a few bumps/bruises along the way but it wouldn't take long with the talent we have and what's coming in.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The sooner that people come to grips with the fact that MF is going to jump to the NFL, the better. He clearly wants to get us a title before he makes the jump. It feels like his love for the University and delivering that to solidify his legacy is the only thing that is stopping him from doing it now.

This is not bed wetting or pessimism. We should be thankful for what he was able to do here, because it is gonna take awhile to reload when he finally does go.

What are you talking about?

You're right, it's actually nothing but speculation on your part based on nothing tangible.

 

[calvegas04]

One tangible trait is Freeman's devotion to special teams. NFL GM's love that.

Yeah ST's was so good last season

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Marcus Freeman is from Dayton OH. He played college ball in Columbus, OH.

He's coached college ball in Ohio and Indiana. Ever.

Someone explain to me the formula where he's one foot out the door to the NFL after signing a 7 year deal.

 

[dublinirish]

you could argue as his kids are getting older and graduating HS it would be a good time for him professionally to broaden his horizons

 

[Irish#1]

Most college coaches stay somewhere for 8-10 years, max. Historically most ND coaches have shorter tenures than that. It's not realistic to expect him to be a Paterno or Snyder.

Next year is Year 5. I think the situation is not binary "will be or won't be leave" ... it's going to be near impossible for a college job to offer him something he doesn't have right now (Ohio State being big asterisk).

So that leaves the NFL. I posted the stats before, but it's rare for NFL teams to hire college coaches. He might get an offer next year that he's interested in or he might not. He might win a championship next year and be really attractive for some place or he might not. No one can really see 3+ years into the future, the key is understanding that it "takes two to tango".

Hell, he may win a Natty next year and want to prove it wasn’t a fluke by going after a second one.

 

[Dale]

you could argue as his kids are getting older and graduating HS it would be a good time for him professionally to broaden his horizons

Not even close. He’s got like 4 or 5 still in grade school.