Sometimes, the most surprising shifts in the NFL coaching landscape happen behind the scenes long before an official announcement is made. And this is exactly what makes recent developments in the Steelers' coaching search so intriguing—there's more to this story than just the moment Mike Tomlin decided to step away from his long-standing role. In fact, internal discussions about potential replacements reportedly occurred well in advance of Tomlin's departure. But here’s where it gets controversial: the name that every football enthusiast is now talking about is Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman.
According to league sources quoted by ESPN’s Dianna Russini on January 3rd, Notre Dame's Freeman seriously contemplated transitioning to the NFL after multiple teams reached out to explore his interest. Even though he publicly committed to remaining at Notre Dame, there's a widespread belief across NFL circles that his departure could still happen in the future. Notably, the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers themselves reportedly held private discussions about Freeman as a potential head coaching candidate—especially if Mike Tomlin decided to leave.
With Tomlin’s recent decision to step down, the spotlight intensifies around Freeman’s name. Despite his initial confirmation of sticking with Notre Dame, it’s important to note that college coaching contracts often lack ironclad guarantees, and loyalty can sometimes be fluid—think of high-profile examples like Lane Kiffin.
So, what makes Freeman such a compelling fit for the Steelers? For starters, he’s relatively young at 40 years old and has a strong coaching background, which includes experience as a defensive coordinator before taking on the top role at Notre Dame. Interestingly, if Freeman were hired, he would join the Steelers’ exclusive club of head coaches who previously played in the NFL as linebackers—nearly all recent hires, except for Mike Tomlin, who was a college wide receiver with no NFL playing career.
Since stepping into his role at Notre Dame at the end of the 2021 season, Freeman has amassed an impressive 43-12 record. His leadership also propelled Notre Dame into the first expanded College Football Playoffs in 2024, where they finished as runners-up to Ohio State. Under his guidance, Notre Dame has seen a notable increase in NFL draft picks—18 players over four drafts, with 13 selected in the most recent two years, including highly touted offensive lineman Joe Alt, who was picked fifth overall in 2024.
Current betting odds, according to some sportsbooks, place Freeman as the second most likely candidate to become the Steelers’ next head coach—highlighting how seriously the NFL considers his potential fit. However, unless Freeman agrees to participate in interviews or negotiations, his transition to the NFL remains speculative.
Adding to the broader picture, reports from Albert Breer indicate that the Steelers might also be considering other candidates, like Chris Shula, the Rams’ defensive coordinator. This points to a profile of a coach who aligns with the Steelers’ priorities: young, innovative, and from a college or NFL background with leadership credentials.
In essence, the NFL coaching carousel continues to spin, and the case of Marcus Freeman raises a compelling question: Should NFL teams prioritize experience in the league, or can a young college coach with a strong program-building record be the next big success? Do you believe Freeman’s background and recent track record make him the ideal candidate for NFL head coaching, or is there a risk relying on relatively unproven NFL experience? Feel free to share your thoughts and join the conversation—these debates are what make football analysis truly exciting.
