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Notre Dame football: Is Marcus Freeman the Irish head coach-in-waiting?

By Jack Leniart

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly and players of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to take the field for the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly and players of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare to take the field for the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly is in the news this week for a comment he made about the future of new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman. Are we misinterpreting that comment?

Earlier this week Notre Dame football head coach Brian Kelly appeared on ‘Race and Sports in America: Conversations,’ which is a series presented by NBC Sports. On the show, Kelly was a part of a panel that included Steph Curry, Dell Curry, and Vince Carter.

During the conversation, Kelly commented on Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman.

Kelly said, “My defensive coordinator is Black, and he is going to be the next head coach.” He continued by saying, “This is not about color or race, this is about the things we just talked about.”

It appears that many people are interpreting Kelly’s comments to mean that Marcus Freeman is essentially the coach-in-waiting on the Notre Dame football staff. But is that what he really meant?

I do not think those comments should be interpreted literally. I think Kelly meant to say that Marcus Freeman will be the next big head coaching candidate in college football.

Is Freeman the next man to lead Notre Dame football?

Could Freeman eventually be the head football coach in South Bend? Absolutely. However, that job might not be available for another two or three years. Given his current trajectory, Freeman will be receiving head coaching offers as early as the next offseason.

I could be wrong in my interpretation of this comment. Kelly could have just accidentally revealed what was previously regarded as a secret within the Notre Dame athletic department. If that is the case, I think most Irish fans would be happy with that situation.

There has been a significant boost in recruiting efforts since Freeman joined the staff. If his time at Cincinnati is any indication, the Irish could have an elite defense under his watch.

Regardless of what the truth is, this will undoubtedly be a talking point as long as Freeman is a part of the Notre Dame football coaching staff.

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