When Michigan fired Sherrone Moore, it was thought the Wolverines would have his replacement in place by now. However, after Saturday morning's big news that Kenny Dillingham signed an extension with Arizona State, the Big Ten power looks like it's in real trouble. It also looks like they'll strike out with Alabama's Kalen Deboer. Notre Dame needs to pay close attention.
With the Fighting Irish season over and the NFL season winding down, rumors that Marcus Freeman is targeted by more than one pro team have only grown louder. Pete Bevacqua and the rest of the guys in charge in South Bend need to be proactive.
Freeman needs another extension, one with a rather large buyout if he leaves, and another investment in NIL and staff salaries.
Why Michigan’s Kenny Dillingham situation matters for Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman
Even with another new contract and more money for the staff and players, there's no guarantee that Freeman will stay. Analysts and people close to the coach have said that if he does leave Notre Dame, it will be for an NFL job.
But Bevacqua has to do whatever he possibly can to keep the coach home. He's already said he will. Now the AD needs to walk the walk.
Michigan and Penn State, before them, should have taught Notre Dame a lesson. All of the top candidates (outside of Lane Kiffin and G6 coaches), which now includes Dillingham, are staying put. And getting big paydays to do it.
If Marcus Freeman were to depart Notre Dame now, it would be a massive problem for the Fighting Irish. Much worse than when Brian Kelly departed South Bend for Baton Rouge. If Freeman leaves for the NFL the Irish will be hard pressed to find someone who can take over the job without missing a beat.
Notre Dame has to do everything it can to keep Freeman for at least one more year. If it doesn't pull that off, all the work that's been done over the last three years will be for naught. The Irish will have to go back to the drawing board.