Sources: Marcus Freeman gets enhanced deal to stay at Notre Dame - ESPN

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, a potential candidate for NFL coaching vacancies, will return to the Fighting Irish in 2026.

Freeman received an enhanced contract from the university, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Freeman, who is 43-12 in four seasons at Notre Dame, announced his return Monday on X, posting, «2026...run it back. Go Irish.»

2026...run it back

Go Irish ☘️

The 39-year-old former Ohio State linebacker was expected to be a strong candidate for NFL vacancies with the New York Giants and possibly other jobs. He guided Notre Dame to the CFP National Championship game in January, and the Fighting Irish won their final 10 regular-season games this fall before being snubbed for the CFP and finishing No. 11 in the final CFP standings. The team then elected to opt out of a bowl game.

Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua said earlier this month that Freeman is «the absolute best coach in the country for Notre Dame, full stop.» Bevacqua said the school was aware of the interest in Freeman and would do everything possible to secure his future. The new contract follows another enhanced deal for Freeman in December 2024. Sports Illustrated first reported the latest agreement for Freeman.

«One of my main obligations and responsibilities to this university is to make sure Marcus wakes up every day knowing that he is supported and valued by Notre Dame,» Bevacqua said Dec. 9. «And I can say with 100% certainty he feels that way, and Notre Dame is totally aligned around the importance of college football for Notre Dame. We're totally aligned on how he is the perfect coach for Notre Dame.»

Bevacqua added that he views Freeman's contract as a «living, breathing document» that will likely be revised every year.

«We feel