Urban Meyer didn’t mince words when the topic of Marcus Freeman potentially jumping ship from Notre Dame to Michigan came up. On a recent episode of The Triple Option podcast, Meyer addressed the swirling rumor - and quickly shut it down.
“I don’t have much inside scoop on this,” Meyer admitted. “But someone said Marcus Freeman.
What are you... out of your mind?” He went on to suggest that any talk of Freeman heading to Ann Arbor likely stems from agents stirring the pot.
“When you hear that stuff, that’s an agent out there, throwing his name out. I can promise you, you’re going to hear the words ‘extension’ and ‘a raise.’”
It’s a classic play in the coaching carousel - a high-profile name gets floated just long enough to drive contract talks. But in this case, Meyer’s reaction highlights just how unlikely a Freeman-to-Michigan move really is.
Let’s be clear: Freeman is entrenched in South Bend. He’s led Notre Dame to back-to-back strong seasons, including a legitimate push for the College Football Playoff this year.
The Irish were in the mix until the very end, controversially left out on Selection Sunday in favor of Alabama and Miami. That kind of consistent success, especially at a program with Notre Dame’s expectations, speaks volumes about Freeman’s trajectory.
And then there’s the rivalry factor. Notre Dame and Michigan may not play annually anymore, but the tension between the two runs deep.
A sitting Irish head coach making a direct leap to Ann Arbor? That would be unprecedented - and, frankly, hard to imagine given the cultural and historical weight behind both programs.
Freeman’s identity is tied to Notre Dame’s present and future. The idea of him flipping to a bitter rival just doesn’t hold water.
Meanwhile, Michigan has its own drama to sort through. After firing Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines are in the thick of a high-stakes coaching search.
Reports suggest the school is eyeing six to eight big-name candidates, but Freeman isn’t believed to be among them. Athletic director Warde Manuel is under pressure to make the right hire, especially in the wake of Moore’s dismissal and a string of off-field issues that have clouded the program.
For now, there’s no real indication that Freeman is entertaining a move - let alone one to a longtime adversary. He’s got momentum, a strong foundation, and a team that’s been knocking on the Playoff door. If anything, the noise around his name might just be a sign that his value is rising - and that Notre Dame might want to lock things in even tighter.
Bottom line: Don’t expect Freeman in maize and blue anytime soon.