Honestly, if you looked at the South Bend headlines back in September 2024, you’d have thought the sky was falling. That 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois felt like a death knell for the Marcus Freeman era. People were calling for his head before the leaves even turned. But fast forward to right now, January 2026, and the Notre Dame football coach has completely flipped the script.
He didn't just survive; he's basically built a fortress.
Last year, he dragged the Irish to their first national championship appearance in over a decade. Sure, they lost to Ohio State in that final game, but the momentum didn't stop. Even after a weird 2025 season where they went 10-2 and got snubbed by the playoff committee—which, let’s be real, was a total robbery—Freeman has somehow made Notre Dame the coolest place in college football.
The NFL Rumors and the "Run It Back" Moment
You've probably heard the noise lately. The NFL keeps sniffing around. There was serious talk about him heading to the New York Giants or even the Steelers. When you're 40 years old with a 43-12 career record and a .782 winning percentage, the pros are going to call. It’s inevitable.
But on December 29, 2025, Freeman shut it down.
He posted that "run it back" message on social media, confirming he’s staying for 2026. He didn't even get a traditional extension; it was a "contract adjustment." Basically, the university said, "We know you're the guy, here's the bag." It’s a huge win for stability. Most programs are hemorrhaging coaches to the league or higher bidders, but the Notre Dame football coach seems genuinely intent on finishing what he started in South Bend.
Why the 2026 Recruiting Class is Actually Insane
If you want to know why Irish fans are acting like they just won the lottery, look at the recruiting trail. Most coaches lose a few kids when the NFL rumors start. Not Freeman.
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Notre Dame just signed the No. 2 overall class in the country for 2026.
Here is the kicker: they didn't have a single decommitment. Zero. In the era of NIL and the transfer portal, that is basically impossible. It’s unheard of. Usually, "flip season" is a nightmare for major programs, but Freeman’s staff—especially guys like Al Washington and Mike Mickens—kept everyone locked in.
The Blue-Chippers You Need to Know
- Ian Premer: The No. 1 tight end in the nation. He’s 6-foot-5 and was the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. With Eli Raridon graduating, Premer is probably going to start day one.
- Joey O’Brien and Khary Adams: Two five-star defensive backs. This secondary is going to be a "no-fly zone" for the next three years.
- Ben Nichols: A 335-pound mauler on the offensive line. He had offers from Alabama and Ohio State but chose South Bend because of the "vibe."
Freeman is a recruiting monster. He’s of Black and South Korean descent, and he’s used that unique background to connect with families in a way Brian Kelly never really could. He doesn't just sell the "40-year decision"; he sells a personal connection.
The Coaching Shuffle: Moving the Chess Pieces
It’s not all sunshine, though. There’s been some movement on the sidelines. Max Bullough, who was a rising star coaching the linebackers, bailed for his alma mater, Michigan State. That hurt.
But Freeman’s response was kinda brilliant.
He moved Al Washington from the defensive line to the linebackers. Washington is a versatile dude—he’s coached RBs, DL, and LBs over his 19-year career. To fill the hole on the line, Freeman went out and grabbed Charlie Partridge from the Indianapolis Colts. Partridge is legendary for developing defensive linemen. If you're a pass rusher, that's the guy you want teaching you.
This is the nuance people miss about the Notre Dame football coach. He’s not just a "player's coach" who gives good speeches. He’s a tactical manager who knows how to restructure his staff when a pillar leaves.
Dealing with the "Successful Failure" of 2025
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the 2025 season. Finishing 10-2 is great for 95% of schools. At Notre Dame, it’s a "successful failure." They lost to Miami and Texas A&M early on, and even though they won 10 straight after that, the committee left them at No. 11—one spot outside the at-large cut.
It stung.
But the way Freeman handled it was interesting. He didn't whine. He actually spent some time as a guest analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay recently, sitting next to Nick Saban and Pat McAfee. He looked comfortable. He looked like a guy who belongs on the national stage.
He’s admitted that he’d rethink some practice decisions from that early 2025 stretch. Specifically, how they handled the quarterback transition after Riley Leonard left. But that’s the thing about Freeman—he’s obsessed with growth. He literally wrote a letter to his coaches after the 2024 Northern Illinois loss about how "sometimes you have to lose to win."
What’s Next for the Irish?
So, what does this mean for 2026? Honestly, the expectations are "natty or bust" again.
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The transfer portal has been kind this month. They just landed Tionne Gray, a massive 336-pound defensive tackle from Oregon, and Quincy Porter, a five-star wideout from Ohio State. Porter didn't get much run behind Jeremiah Smith in Columbus, but he’s expected to be the "Alpha" in South Bend this fall.
The roster is deeper than it’s been since the Lou Holtz days.
If you're looking for actionable ways to follow the team this off-season, here is what you should be watching:
- The Quarterback Battle: Keep an eye on the spring game. With the new portal additions and young talent, the competition will be fierce.
- Charlie Partridge’s Impact: Watch the spring practice reports to see how the defensive line adapts to his "NFL-style" techniques.
- The Schedule: The Nov. 7 game against Miami at Notre Dame Stadium is already the most anticipated ticket in the country. It’s a revenge game, pure and simple.
Marcus Freeman has turned Notre Dame into a modern powerhouse that actually understands the current landscape of the sport. He isn't just the Notre Dame football coach; he's the face of the program's evolution.
Get ready. 2026 is going to be wild.