iStockphoto / © Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Marcus Freeman will return as the head coach of the Notre Dame football program in 2026. He secured a raise with his decision to return to South Bend.
The coach had been connected to NFL jobs, most notably that of the New York Giants. He opted to stay put rather than walk a more challenging championship path.
Freeman just wrapped up Year 4 as the Fighting Irish head coach after previously serving as defensive coordinator. He’s posted a 43-11 record in that time.
This year, his team ended the season on a 10-game winning streak. It narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff by finishing 11th in the final poll.
That omission sparked a domino effect. Notre Dame opted out of a bowl game appearance. It was later revealed that the program had signed a special agreement to ensure the same rejection wouldn’t happen twice.
What is the Notre Dame College Football Playoff clause?
Notre Dame will be assured of making the playoff if it is ranked in the top 12 starting next year, (Notre Dame AD Pete) Bevacqua tells Yahoo Sports.
-Ross Dellenger / Yahoo! Sports
The Irish will be CFP participants if ranked in the Top 12. Had that agreement been in effect this season, it would’ve meant Notre Dame’s inclusion at Miami’s expense.
The Hurricanes, who knocked off Texas A&M in their CFP opener, would’ve been left out of the field despite being ranked more highly in the final poll.
That news did many things. Firstly, it angered rivals which believed the Irish to be receiving preferential treatment. Secondly, it provided college football’s independent darling with a clear, and potentially easier, path to the postseason.
There remains no incentive for Notre Dame to enter a conference. They are guaranteed a national title shot if they finish in the top half of the Top 25.
That might’ve weighed into their head coach’s decision to turn down the NFL. A championship is more attainable at his current stop.
Marcus Freeman is staying with the Fighting Irish.
There were reports of interest from NFL suitors. The opening with the New York Giants drew the most attention. On Monday, Freeman provided an update on his future with the Notre Dame football program.
2026…run it back
Go Irish ☘️
— Marcus Freeman (@Marcus_Freeman1) December 29, 2025
Taking on the role with the Giants would’ve meant leading a rebuild. The squad is 3-13, cementing its status as one of the league’s worst teams.
They’ve produced just one winning season since 2016. A quick turnaround does not appear to be on the horizon.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, made the CFP title game in 2024. While it narrowly missed out on the playoff in ’25, the program is undoubtedly closer to a championship than New York.
Postseason aspirations were not the only factor in Marcus Freeman’s decision. Money played a role, too.
By returning to South Bend, he secured another raise.
Notre Dame confirmed that Freeman has agreed to a restructured contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but his compensation is in the “top tier” of college coaches, a source says. Freeman signed a six-year contract last year, and this revised agreement adds one more year to the end, extending him through 2031.
-Pat Forde / Sports Illustrated
“Top tier” does not provide us with a specific number. We can use context clues to find a potential range.
Nine of the top 10 college football coaching salaries exceeded the $10 million threshold in 2025. Freeman ranked 26th in the nation with a salary of $7.4 million. That number should be higher in 2026.
Freeman will return to the sidelines in South Bend next year. He will make more money by doing so.
He will also secure an easier annual path to the playoff by rejecting his NFL suitors. It seems a win-win for the Notre Dame football coach.