Could Marcus Freeman Be the Next Giants Head Coach? The Fit Is Intriguing-But Complicated
With the New York Giants officially parting ways with Brian Daboll in November, the search for their next head coach is heating up. And one name that’s starting to gain traction is Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Freeman is on the Giants’ shortlist-and that’s no small thing.
Freeman, 39, has built quite the résumé since stepping in as Notre Dame’s head coach following Brian Kelly’s departure in 2021. In just four full seasons, he’s compiled a 43-12 record and led the Irish to their first National Championship appearance since 2013.
That 2024 run, even though it ended in a 34-23 loss to Ohio State, elevated Freeman’s national profile in a big way. He’s now widely respected as one of the most promising young minds in football-college or pro.
This isn’t the first time Freeman’s name has come up in NFL circles. Just last year, he was considered for the Chicago Bears’ head coaching vacancy.
So it’s no surprise the Giants are doing their due diligence now. With several question marks surrounding the current NFL coaching pool, Freeman’s leadership and ability to build a strong culture make him an appealing option.
But here’s where things get tricky.
Freeman’s Notre Dame Legacy Is Still Unfinished
Notre Dame went 10-2 this season and found itself at the center of one of the more controversial College Football Playoff decisions in recent memory. Initially ranked ahead of Miami, the Irish were later leapfrogged by the Hurricanes-and then by a three-loss Alabama team that ultimately made the field. The snub stung so much that Notre Dame opted out of participating in any bowl game.
That kind of frustration can be a motivator. It can also be a distraction.
If Freeman were to seriously entertain a move to the NFL right now, it would undoubtedly shift the focus away from what many in South Bend believe could be a redemption year in 2025. And Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua isn’t taking any chances-he’s reportedly prepared to make Freeman one of the highest-paid coaches in college football to keep him where he is.
What the Giants Need-and What Freeman Offers
The Giants are in a pivotal moment. They need more than just a head coach-they need a vision, a culture reset, and a clear plan for developing quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Ideally, they’d land an offensive mastermind to unlock Dart’s potential. But according to Garafolo, this year’s coaching cycle doesn’t have a clear-cut “offensive play-caller belle of the ball” like Ben Johnson last year.
Many of the top candidates are already head coaches calling plays themselves, which narrows the field.
That opens the door for someone like Freeman, who may not be an X’s and O’s offensive guru but has shown he can lead, motivate, and build a winning environment. At Notre Dame, he’s done just that-despite the pressure, the spotlight, and the expectations that come with one of the most storied programs in college football.
Still, there’s no ignoring the fact that the NFL is a different beast. In college, Freeman thrives on recruiting-building relationships, selling a vision, and assembling elite talent.
But in the pros, there’s no five-star pipeline. There’s a salary cap, a draft board, and the need to develop players over time.
That’s an area where Freeman simply doesn’t have experience.
A Risk for Both Sides
Hiring Freeman would be a bold move for the Giants-a franchise that can’t afford another misstep. It would also be a gamble for Freeman, who would be leaving behind a program that’s trending upward, with unfinished business and a fanbase that believes in him.
On paper, the match has appeal. Freeman brings leadership, energy, and a proven ability to command a locker room.
But in practice, the jump from South Bend to East Rutherford is steep. Culture matters, but so does experience.
And right now, both sides have a lot to lose if the fit isn’t perfect.
So while Marcus Freeman to the Giants is a headline that makes sense in theory, the reality may be far more complicated.