Penn State and Florida are the two highest-profile head coaching jobs open right now, and of course, they know they need a heavy hitter running their programs. One of the heavy-hitter names circling right now, of course, is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, which is a bit of a nightmare for Fighting Irish fans.
Penn State fired James Franklin, who was with the Nittany Lions for 12 seasons, won a Big Ten Championship, and consistently kept Penn State in the hunt for a National Championship, but could never get them past the finish line. Florida fired Billy Napier, who was never able to get his footing with the Gators for a full, successful season.
Freeman has proven in his nearly four seasons at Notre Dame that he can be a very successful head coach, especially in leading the Fighting Irish to a National Championship in 2024. It makes total sense that he would be the top candidate for these two high-profile programs, but Freeman would be a fool to leave Notre Dame.
Marcus Freeman could have a lot of baggage to deal with at Penn State or Florida
Whoever comes in as Penn State will be expected to do big things and fast. A university doesn't fire a head coach like James Franklin unless it knows they can and will bring in someone better. The Nittany Lions have the money to bring in almost anyone, but right now, their future is looking a little rough.
Penn State will have a new starting quarterback next season and will be losing some key players in its starting lineup. With Franklin gone, the Nittany Lions have lost a lot of recruits coming in the next couple of years, so there is not a lot of future there right now.
When it comes to Florida, it seems like that is one of the worst jobs to take, because it's basically National Championship or bust when it comes to the fanbase. When a coach isn't winning enough, meaning winning National Championships every season, the fanbase turns its back on the head coach so fast.
At Notre Dame, Freeman has the ability to do just about anything. He has built great recruiting classes, and even without probably his best roster last season, Freeman still led his team to a National Championship. Freeman looks to be building a stronger roster every single and a National Championship isn't far off. Going to another program, he is most likely right back at square one.