Marcus Freeman’s name is making waves in NFL circles - and not without some controversy. The Notre Dame head coach, fresh off a strong 10-2 season with the Fighting Irish, has reportedly emerged as a candidate for the New York Giants’ head coaching vacancy. But the buzz hasn’t been met with universal applause.
Freeman, who’s compiled a 43-12 record over four-plus seasons in South Bend and led Notre Dame to a national championship game appearance just last year, is now being mentioned alongside established NFL coordinators like Jeff Hafley, Lou Anarumo, Kliff Kingsbury, and Klint Kubiak. That’s a serious list, and Freeman’s inclusion signals how highly regarded he’s become in coaching circles. But there’s one glaring difference: Freeman has no NFL coaching experience.
And that’s where the conversation gets complicated.
As soon as Freeman’s name surfaced in connection with the Giants job - a position vacated after the firing of Brian Daboll - fans took to social media with strong reactions. Some were skeptical, others sarcastic, and a few downright dismissive.
The common thread? Doubt about whether a college coach, no matter how successful, is ready to take the reins of an NFL franchise, especially one as scrutinized as the Giants.
For Giants fans, the skepticism is understandable. The team is coming off another tough season, and the revolving door at head coach has only deepened frustrations.
The idea of handing the keys to someone without a single snap of NFL coaching experience - even someone with Freeman’s résumé - feels like a gamble. And in New York, gambles don’t go unnoticed.
But here’s the flip side: NFL teams are clearly paying attention to what Freeman has built at Notre Dame. He’s not just winning games - he’s leading one of the most high-profile programs in college football with consistency and poise.
That kind of leadership doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL front offices. According to multiple reports, including from The Athletic and Chicago Sports, the Giants aren’t the only ones interested.
Freeman is reportedly drawing attention from several other NFL teams, and that interest is expected to grow as coaching vacancies open up in the coming weeks.
It’s easy to see why. Freeman has shown he can manage pressure, develop talent, and command a locker room - all traits that translate well to the pro level. While the NFL is a different beast, the qualities that have made him successful at Notre Dame are exactly what struggling franchises are looking for in a culture-changer.
Still, the leap from college to the NFL is a steep one. History has shown that not every successful college coach can make it work on Sundays. But Freeman’s rise has been steady and impressive, and the fact that multiple teams are even considering him for the top job speaks volumes about how he’s viewed in coaching circles.
Whether or not Freeman ends up in New York - or anywhere in the NFL - remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: his name is firmly in the mix, and the next few weeks could be pivotal. The Giants may just be the first domino in what could be a busy offseason for Freeman and the teams looking to land the next big thing on the sideline.