SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua is determined to retain head coach Marcus Freeman amid rising interest from NFL teams, promising to position him among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Freeman, who boasts an impressive record of 43 wins and 12 losses since taking the helm, led the Fighting Irish to last season’s national title game. This year, Notre Dame concluded its season with a respectable 10-2 record but chose not to accept a bowl invitation following their omission from the College Football Playoff. Speculation surrounds Freeman as a potential candidate for NFL vacancies, including the New York Giants, despite him never coaching at the professional level.
“Everybody has eyes on Marcus,” Bevacqua remarked, emphasizing his reputation not just within college football but also in the NFL and even Hollywood. “He’s the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, full stop, one of the greatest college coaches in the country.”
Freeman secured a four-year contract extension last December that runs through the 2030 season. Although Notre Dame doesn’t publicly disclose salaries, federal tax documents indicate Freeman earned over $7.4 million in 2023. Bevacqua, who succeeded Jack Swarbrick as athletic director in March 2024, is focused on ensuring Freeman feels valued, stating, “Notre Dame is totally aligned around the importance of college football.”
He affirmed that Freeman’s compensation would be adjusted annually to keep him among the elite in college football coaching, signaling a commitment to his future and success at Notre Dame. Additionally, Bevacqua believes that the recent CFP snub will motivate Freeman as they head into the 2026 season. “He won’t forget,” Bevacqua noted. “This will be motivation for him, that’s for sure.”
Bevacqua’s proactive approach reflects the institution’s dedication to maintaining its football program’s competitive stature and highlights the potential for continued success with Freeman leading the team.