With the Notre Dame football season officially over, it's time to return to worrying about head coach Marcus Freeman going elsewhere. He's turned down every school that came calling this fall, including a few who came calling more than once. However, rumors that he might be pursued pretty hard core by the NFL's New York Giants are ramping up to the point where he's now the betting favorite to take their head coaching job.
If the Giants do come calling, don't expect ND athletic director Pete Bevacqua to take it lying down. During a press conference on Tuesday to address the Irish's College Football Playoff snub, Bevacqua hinted at his plan to keep Freeman in South Bend as long as possible.
"I would never say we wouldn't match anything when it comes to Marcus," Bevacqua said. "I make sure that he knows that he will be where he deserves to be, and that is at the top, top, top tier of college football coaches when it comes to compensation every year."
Notre Dame positions itself to retain Marcus Freeman amid growing outside interest
"I view his contract, although a multiyear contract, as a living, breathing document that we will revise every year as need be to make sure he's where he deserves to be. He knows he has that commitment from me and more importantly, from the university."
Bevacqua has already walked the walk alongside talking the talk. The university gave Freeman a raise last year, as well as an extension that has him under contract through 2030. Because Notre Dame is a private school, it does not have to release salary numbers, but he's thought to be making about $9.5 million in 2025.
That treatment has kept Marcus Freeman turning down colleges that have come offering new jobs. Things could be different with the Notre Dame head man and the NFL, if a real, solid offer is made.