There is rarely a quiet moment around Notre Dame football, and that pattern continued on Sunday when reports connected head coach Marcus Freeman to the New York Giants’ vacant head coaching position. Notre Dame had just come off a weekend dominated by uneventful College Football Playoff games, and attention quickly shifted back to Freeman as speculation around his future resurfaced.
The reports tied Freeman directly to the Giants as the franchise begins its coaching search ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While Freeman has no NFL coaching experience, his name has steadily gained traction in league circles, and this latest round of reporting is the strongest public connection yet.
- Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been reported as the top college candidate for the New York Giants’ head coaching search for the 2026 NFL season.
- Freeman’s résumé includes a 43–12 record at Notre Dame, a College Football Playoff national championship game appearance, and a reputation for leadership and defensive excellence.
- Even with strong NFL interest, multiple insiders believe Freeman will listen but ultimately remain at Notre Dame, citing quarterback uncertainty and the Giants’ long-term struggles.
Why the Giants Are Actively Considering Marcus Freeman
NFL Network reporter Mark Garafolo confirmed that Freeman is firmly on the Giants’ radar and stands out among college candidates.
“Marcus Freeman, mentioned as a guy that should be in their coaching search. Yes, that is the case and I expect him to be the foremost among the college candidates,” Garafolo said.
Garafolo also reported that the Giants plan to interview a wide range of candidates, including defensive-minded coaches and veteran NFL assistants. This hiring cycle differs from last year’s, when offensive play-callers drew heavy attention. There is no offensive candidate comparable to Ben Johnson, who accepted the Chicago Bears head coaching job last season in part because of quarterback Caleb Williams.
Freeman’s profile aligns with what the Giants are seeking. At 39 years old, he has compiled a 43–12 record over four full seasons at Notre Dame. Last season, he led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff national championship game, where they lost to Ohio State after a postseason run that included wins over Indiana, Georgia, and Penn State. His reputation centers on leadership, player development, and adapting schemes to his roster.
Betting and Prediction Markets Tracking Freeman’s Candidacy
As Freeman’s name surfaced repeatedly in reporting, betting and prediction markets showed noticeable movement. While major sportsbooks, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, and PointsBet, do not typically offer official “next head coach” odds, aggregated odds boards, prediction markets, and offshore books have tracked the shift.
A Fox Sports odds board published roughly four days ago listed Marcus Freeman at +1200 to become the next Giants head coach. The same reporting noted that Freeman had been listed at +5000 just over a month earlier, marking a significant change in his perceived chances.
On that Fox Sports board, Freeman shares the +1200 price with Mike Kafka. Other candidates listed include Chris Shula at +500, Klint Kubiak and Jeff Hafley at +650, Kliff Kingsbury at +900, and Mike McCarthy and Lou Anarumo at +1000.
Prediction markets provided percentage-based estimates. A Kalshi snapshot dated December 10, 2025, listed Chris Shula at 22 percent, Lou Anarumo at 19 percent, Marcus Freeman at 18 percent, Mike McCarthy at 15 percent, and Jeff Hafley at 11 percent. A separate Kalshi update cited by the New York Post on December 9, 2025, showed Shula at 28 percent, Freeman at 22 percent, McCarthy and Anarumo each at 19 percent, Klint Kubiak at 14 percent, and Hafley at 10 percent.
One offshore sportsbook, SportsBetting.ag, listed Freeman as a -200 favorite, with Mike McCarthy and Chris Shula each at 5/1, Klint Kubiak and Mike Kafka at 9/1, and Jeff Hafley at 10/1.
The Giants’ Situation and Roster Context Driving the Search
The Giants’ coaching search follows a difficult season. The team fired head coach Brian Daboll on November 10, 2025, after a 2–8 start. Mike Kafka was named interim head coach. After a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, New York stands at 2–13, and the franchise will have finished below .500 in 11 of the last 13 seasons once the year concludes.
Aside from the rough record, the roster includes young talent. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has shown flashes during his first season, and wide receiver Malik Nabors has been identified as a foundational offensive piece. Defensively, the Giants are built around a strong front that includes Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Dexter Lawrence, along with a young secondary.
Freeman’s defensive background as a former linebacker and defensive coordinator has been cited as a point of appeal, particularly for a team looking to strengthen its defensive identity while maintaining continuity elsewhere on the roster.
Why Multiple Insiders Expect Freeman to Stay at Notre Dame
Although the Giants’ interest and betting movement are clear, several insiders have publicly stated they do not expect Freeman to leave Notre Dame. College football analyst Josh Pate addressed the situation directly on X.
“I expect Marcus Freeman to listen and I also expect Marcus Freeman to be the head coach at Notre Dame next season,” Pate wrote.
I expect Marcus Freeman to listen and I also expect Marcus Freeman to be the head coach at Notre Dame next season https://t.co/z21mdaUpiM
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) December 21, 2025
Freeman has previously declined interest from other major college programs, including Penn State and Florida. Notre Dame is coming off a 10–2 2025 season that ended controversially. Despite remaining ranked in the top 10 for weeks, the Fighting Irish were dropped outside the top 12 and left out of the College Football Playoff. Following that decision, Notre Dame opted out of the Pop-Tart Bowl and shifted focus to the transfer portal and preparation for the 2026 season.
Freeman is under a long-term contract, and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua has stated the school’s intent to keep Freeman among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
