The conversation around the Pittsburgh Steelers' search for a new head coach didn't just kick off with Mike Tomlin's resignation—it was already underway weeks before that pivotal moment. In fact, reports began circulating over a week prior, suggesting that the Steelers were eyeing potential candidates to fill the role, one of whom was Marcus Freeman, the head coach of Notre Dame, should a vacancy arise.
As Dianna Russini shared in her article for The Athletic on January 3, "Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman was seriously contemplating making the leap to the NFL, with several teams reaching out to assess his interest, according to sources in the league." Although Freeman has since confirmed that he will remain at Notre Dame, many believe this is far from the last time his name will surface in discussions about NFL opportunities. Teams such as the Giants, Titans, Browns, and notably, the Steelers, had preliminary discussions about Freeman, particularly considering the possibility of Tomlin stepping down.
Now that Tomlin has indeed stepped away, the implications of this report gain even more weight. While Freeman has opted to continue his tenure at Notre Dame, it’s important to note that loyalty within college football can be quite fluid—just look at coaches like Lane Kiffin for context.
Freeman is an appealing candidate for the Steelers for several reasons. At just 40 years old, he brings a youthful energy, and his background as a defensive coordinator before taking the head coach position at Notre Dame aligns well with the Steelers' historic preference for strong defensive leadership. Should he be hired, he would become the third head coach among the last four selections for the Steelers who played as linebackers in the NFL, with Tomlin being the only exception, as he was a collegiate wide receiver without professional playing experience.
Since stepping into the role of head coach at Notre Dame for the final game of the 2021 season, Freeman has compiled an impressive record of 43 wins against 12 losses. Notably, he led the team into the inaugural expanded College Football Playoffs in 2024, finishing as the runner-up to Ohio State. Under his guidance, 18 players have been drafted from Notre Dame during his tenure, with a marked increase in recent years. Specifically, in the last two NFL drafts alone, 13 players have made it to the professional ranks, including Joe Alt, who was selected as the fifth overall pick in 2024.
Interestingly, sportsbooks currently list Freeman as having the second-highest odds to become the next head coach of the Steelers. However, unless there’s a significant shift in circumstances that prompts him to agree to an interview, it seems unlikely that this will materialize for the Steelers at this point. Alongside Albert Breer’s recent report connecting Chris Shula to potential consideration for the head coaching position in early January, it creates a clearer picture of the type of candidates the Steelers are pursuing.
This situation raises a fascinating question: with such talent and potential candidates in the mix, what direction do you think the Steelers should take in their search for a new head coach? Are you in favor of exploring fresh ideas with someone like Freeman, or do you believe it's better to stick with a more traditional approach? Your thoughts could spark a lively discussion!
