Giants looking to poach Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame could be a mistake

With ex-head coach Brian Daboll fired in November, the New York Giants shortlist of candidates to fill his position is coming into focus. According to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo, Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman is one of the top candidates on that list.

Freeman, 39, has seen his star rise since taking over the Fighting Irish in the wake of Brian Kelly's departure for Louisiana State University in 2021. Freeman (43-12) just completed his fourth full season as a head coach. In 2024, Freeman led the team to the most wins in school history and their first National Championship appearance since 2013. 

While Notre Dame lost last year's College Football Playoff National Championship game 34-23 to the Ohio State Buckeyes, the team's run made Freeman one of the more respected head coaches in all of football. 

Just last year, Freeman was under consideration to fill the then vacant Chicago Bears head coaching position. So, it would be malpractice for the Giants not to reach out and see if Freeman is looking to entertain a move to the NFL. However, Freeman is coming off his most disappointing season as a head coach and would leave Notre Dame with unfinished business. 

Why Marcus Freeman is better suited for Notre Dame

The Irish went 10-2 this season and controversially missed the playoffs after the CFP Committee initially ranked the team ahead of the Miami Hurricanes, then switched the two and put three-loss Alabama in the field. Notre Dame was bitter enough about the decision that it decided not to participate in any Bowl game.

That focus would be thrown off if Freeman were to consider a move to New York seriously. And while Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua has promised to make Freeman one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, the Giants will be motivated to take Freeman away if the coaching candidates among the NFL prospects seem lacking.