Notre Dame Football Head Coach Marcus Freeman staying at university

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- After weeks of offseason noise across college football — from the transfer portal to the coaching carousel — Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time since early December and shut down any speculation about his future.

Freeman said he is fully committed to Notre Dame and has no plans to leave.

“Everything I want and everything I need can be achieved right here at Notre Dame,” Freeman said.

Freeman acknowledged interest from NFL teams, calling it a reflection of what Notre Dame has built, but said he is focused on what is directly in front of him.

When asked if he would ever want to coach in the NFL, Freeman did not rule it out long term, but said it is not a priority now. He said he does not know enough about the professional game to say what he would want in the future and that, for now, those conversations are more about learning.

“I don’t love wasting time thinking about things that aren’t right in front of me,” Freeman said. “I know right now that I am as convicted and motivated to being the best head coach of the Notre Dame football program as I can be.”

Freeman also addressed the end of Notre Dame’s season and said the program is still carrying disappointment over missing the College Football Playoff. Asked whether he regrets the decision to opt out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Freeman said he does not.

“No,” Freeman said, adding that each playoff round has been a reminder of where he wanted Notre Dame to be. He said the goal now is to use that frustration as motivation moving forward.

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