Success can be flattering—but it can also test your perspective. As the New York Giants search for their next head coach, Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman has found his name surfacing in conversations within the organization, a recognition he calls both an honor and a humbling reminder of what he already values in South Bend.
Following the recent dismissal of head coach Brian Daboll, Freeman’s name gained attention when The Post’s Paul Schwartz mentioned him on the Blue Rush podcast in November as someone respected by the Giants’ leadership. The buzz naturally raised speculation: could Freeman make the leap from college football to one of the NFL’s most historic franchises?
When speaking with The Post on Tuesday—just before the release of Season 2 of Peacock’s Here Come the Irish—Freeman reflected with gratitude on the idea. “It’s humbling to be mentioned by an organization with the tradition and history of the Giants,” he said, acknowledging the honor while quickly redirecting focus back to his current role. To him, it’s less a job opportunity and more a sign of validation for the culture he has built at Notre Dame.
“The gratitude comes first,” Freeman explained. “Even being recognized by a team like that reminds me of the incredible responsibility I already have here. I often think, if we weren’t having success, those conversations wouldn’t even happen.” His comments highlight an idea that often divides fans and analysts alike—whether recognition from the pros is a stepping stone or simply a reflection of college excellence. Should college coaches even entertain NFL speculation, or does it undermine their current programs?
The irony is that Notre Dame and the Giants currently occupy opposite ends of the football spectrum. The Fighting Irish, ranked No. 10 in the College Football Playoff Top 25, have rebounded from an 0–2 start to rattle off ten straight wins. Meanwhile, the Giants have stumbled through a difficult 2–11 season marked by seven consecutive losses and midseason turmoil that included Daboll’s firing.
Since stepping in for Brian Kelly at the close of 2021, Freeman has guided Notre Dame to a 43–12 record, appearing in a bowl game each season and even leading the team to the national title game last year. That track record—balanced, focused, and consistent—has turned heads across the league. “When your program finds success at that level, your name naturally comes up for big opportunities,” Freeman said. “It’s humbling, but it always reminds me to stay thankful. Because if you ever lose that sense of gratitude, you risk losing everything you’ve built.”
As for the Giants, general manager Joe Schoen assured reporters on Tuesday that his priority remains supporting interim head coach Mike Kafka through the remainder of the season. “Right now, my focus is on standing behind Kafka as we move forward,” Schoen said. “We’ll evaluate every part of this operation before making decisions for 2026 and beyond. Has everything gone right? No. But I have full faith in this staff, myself included, to bring this franchise back to where it belongs.”
It leaves fans wondering—should Freeman consider testing himself at the next level, or keep shaping legacy at one of college football’s most storied programs? What do you think—stay rooted in the traditions of the Irish, or answer the potential call of the Giants?
