Marcus Freeman replacements 2024: 5 potential candidates to replace Notre Dame coach if he gets fired
Marcus Freeman has been most successful leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Since taking over the job ahead of their bowl game to close out the 2021 season, he has led the program to a 21-9 mark. After winning nine games in his first full season leading the Fighting Irish, he led them to 10 wins last season.
The Fighting Irish entered the 2024 season expected to contend for a College Football Playoff spot in the first year of the expanded format, which includes 12 teams. After starting the year ranked seventh in the AP Top 25 Poll, Notre Dame jumped to fifth following a Week 1 victory over the then-No.20-ranked Texas A&M Aggies.
A shock 16-14 loss to the Northern Illinois Huskies saw them fall to 18th in the rankings, raising plenty of questions about Marcus Freeman's job security. The Fighting Irish, though, bounced back in Week 3 with a 66-7 blowout against the Purdue Boilermakers. If they are unable to reach the postseason, talks about their coach's future with the program are likely to regain traction.
Take a look at five candidates to replace Marcus Freeman if Notre Dame moves on from the third-year coach.
Five potential candidates to replace Marcus Freeman if he gets fired
#1 Urban Meyer
This one may be a bit of a pipe dream, but there would be no bigger hire for Notre Dame than Urban Meyer.
The three-time national champion previously revealed that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish coaching position would be his dream job. While he has retired from coaching since then, rumors say that he could be interested in a return to the sideline for the right fit.
#2 Glenn Schumann
Glenn Schumann is among the most coveted coordinators in college football who hasn't accepted a head-coaching opportunity.
The Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator has won six national championships as an assistant coach and appears to be waiting for the right opportunity. If the Notre Dame job is available, it would be among the biggest openings in college football.
#3 Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin is likely also a pipe dream, but there have been suggestions that he could leave the Ole Miss Rebels, who could lose a lot of talent following the season.
He has shown the ability to turn programs around and could be exactly what the Notre Dame Fighting Irish need to return to the postseason.
#4 Jamey Chadwell
Jamey Chadwell has established himself as one of the top rising coaches outside of the power conferences. The Liberty Flames coach could be looking for a bigger opportunity, and joining a prestigious program like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish could be a big-time move.
#5 Ed Orgeron
Ed Orgeron hasn't returned to coaching since parting ways with the LSU Tigers following the 2021 season. The one-time national champion appears to be waiting for the right opportunity, and joining the Notre Dame Fighting Irish could entice him to return to the sideline if Marcus Freeman leaves.