Notre Dame AD will push to retain Freeman amid NFL interest

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua is aware of the NFL’s potential interest in coach Marcus Freeman, but he will push to retain Freeman and make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

Freeman is 43-12 as Notre Dame’s coach, and he led the team to the national title game last season. Notre Dame finished its season at 10-2 and withdrew from a bowl invitation after being snubbed for the College Football Playoff. Although Freeman, 39, has never coached in the NFL, industry sources expect him to be on the radar of the New York Giants and other potential openings.

“Everyone’s eyes are on Marcus,” Bevacqua said. “College has its eyes on Marcus; the NFL has its eyes on Marcus. I bet Hollywood has its eyes on Marcus. … He’s the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, period, one of the greatest college coaches in the country.”

Last December, Freeman agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2030 season. Notre Dame does not release salary information, but Freeman earned more than $7.4 million in 2023, according to federal tax records.

Bevacqua, who did not hire Freeman and succeeded Jack Swarbrick as athletic director in March 2024, said one of his main obligations was to ensure Freeman felt valued at Notre Dame.

“I can say with 100 percent certainty that he feels that way, and Notre Dame is totally aligned with the importance of college football to Notre Dame,” Bevacqua said. “…I’m making sure he knows he’s going to be where he deserves to be, and that’s at the highest level of college football coaches in terms of compensation every year.”

Bevacqua added that Freeman’s contract will be reviewed annually to secure his position among the highest-paid coaches in the sport. He also expects the CFP snub to provide additional incentive for Freeman in 2026.

“He won’t forget,” Bevacqua said. “He has a long memory. It will be a motivation for him, that’s for sure.”