Back in November, we heard that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was generating HC buzz in NFL circles, and subsequent reporting indicated that Freeman could be a dark horse candidate for the Bears’ top job. Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Chicago indeed wants to interview Freeman (video link).
Part of Freeman’s appeal is that he has led the Fighting Irish to the CFP National Championship Game, which will be played on January 20. As Pelissero notes, it is unlikely that Freeman will want to take an NFL interview prior to that game, so Chicago – which reportedly pushed hard for Mike Vrabel before he accepted the Patriots’ head coaching gig today – could slow play the process if it truly wants a shot at Freeman.
Of course, it is eminently possible that Freeman does not want to leave South Bend at all. He recently agreed to a four-year extension with Notre Dame, a deal that will keep him in place for another six seasons. It is unclear what the buyout structure on his contract with the Fighting Irish looks like, but it sounds as if the Bears are at least entertaining the idea of buying him out.
Freeman, 39, has been Notre Dame’s HC since 2022, and he has led the team to an overall record of 33-8. The Bears actually selected him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, though he never suited up for a regular season game at the NFL level.
Per Pelissero, Chicago has done extensive research on Freeman over the past several months as part of its wide-ranging search. Courtesy of our head coaching tracker, here is what that search looks like as of the time of this writing:
- Bill Belichick, head coach (North Carolina): Expressed interest
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Thomas Brown, interim head coach (Bears): Interview expected
- Matt Campbell, head coach (Iowa State): Interview expected
- Pete Carroll, former head coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Flores, defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interview requested
- Marcus Freeman, head coach (Notre Dame): Team wants to interview
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/11
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): Interviewed 1/9
- Kliff Kingsbury, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Interview requested
- Mike McCarthy, head coach (Cowboys): Interview blocked
- Todd Monken, offensive coordinator (Ravens): Interview requested
- Drew Petzing, offensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/8
- Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): To interview
- David Shaw, senior personnel executive (Broncos): Interview requested
College coaches? They don’t know what they want. If they did (and they already interviewed Johnson), they wouldn’t have a list of names a mile long.
If the GM and Team President are black, do they still have to follow the Rooney Rule for HCs?
Yikes. Maybe should’ve kept that one to yourself.
If Marcus Freeman declines an interview with Chicago, will the Bears designate Morgan Freeman as their fall back option?
Freddie
Freeman will be a great NFL HC! He is a natural leader and he has the perfect temperament. His teams are disciplined & tough. While I might prefer an offensive mind, I would trust him to find a good OC. The Bears need to seriously consider Freeman if they can’t close Ben Johnson on the gig.