Freeman's extension adds four years to his current contract, which had two years remaining. The new deal runs through the 2030 season, a Notre Dame official confirmed.
Freeman, 38, drew $6.69 million in total compensation as a first-time head coach in 2022, according to federal tax documents released in May 2024. That left Freeman just outside the top 25 highest-paid football coaches at the college level.
Freeman’s name was grist for the coaching rumor mill after Ohio State coach Ryan Day lost to Michigan for a fourth straight year. The Bears, meanwhile, are again looking for a coach after firing Matt Eberflus in the wake of a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Detroit Lions.
The contract amount is mostly from "insider rumors" who are reporting a raise to > $9 million/year + a significantly increased assistant coaching budget.
I figured it was somewhat of an interesting post because Freeman's name naturally comes up as a potential candidate IF Ohio State chooses to move on from Ryan Day. Freeman is a young (38 years old), energetic coach that players love, and he is a relentless recruiter. As a former Dayton, OH native, and Ohio State alumnus he would be an immediately culture fit as well. Since Freeman was on the 4th year of a 6 year contract, it was assumed that his buyout amount at Notre Dame would be pretty minimal this year, and his previous $6-7 million/year salary wouldn't be impossible match/beat.
I always thought Freeman would be an interesting candidate too because he remains very close to Brian Hartline and James Laurinaitis, so it would stand to reason that two of best recruiters on the current staff would stay to coach under him.
Of course, Freeman made no friends among the Buckeye faithful when he made this foot-in-mouth comment when first hired at Notre Dame (that he walked back soon after) - I truly think it was a case of an overly excited first-time head coach, who was trying to get his new fanbase excited and didn't have the PR chops yet to realized how far-reaching his interview would go/affect.
Mod Edit - Closing, redirect to staff Buckshot posted 12/15: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/college-football/2024/12/151781/marcus-fr...
