As the 2025 college football season draws closer, one of the most intriguing stories in the world of college football revolves around the fate of Marcus Freeman, head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Freeman’s tenure at the helm of Notre Dame has been a subject of scrutiny, from the high expectations surrounding his appointment to the mixed results on the field. For many, Freeman’s position as the head coach remains uncertain, with national analysts offering conflicting perspectives on his future.
Freeman was hired as the 30th head coach of Notre Dame in 2021, succeeding Brian Kelly after Kelly left for LSU. The timing of Freeman’s hiring was somewhat unusual. He was appointed just days after Kelly’s departure, meaning he was given little time to fully prepare for a head coaching role at one of the most storied programs in college football. Despite this, Freeman was celebrated for his strong recruiting abilities, his understanding of the game, and his history as a defensive coordinator, which made him a popular choice.
The First Few Seasons Under Freeman: A Roller Coaster
Freeman’s first season in charge of the Irish in 2022 was rocky. The team suffered a few disappointing losses, including a heartbreaker to Ohio State early in the season. Freeman did manage to lead Notre Dame to a bowl game, but the season ended with more questions than answers about his long-term viability as the head coach.
As the 2023 season unfolded, Freeman and his staff seemed to have settled into their roles a little more comfortably. Yet, the Irish still struggled to maintain consistency in their performance. There were flashes of brilliance, but there were also moments where Notre Dame appeared outmatched, particularly against the top-tier teams on their schedule. These results were enough to leave the Notre Dame fanbase, as well as analysts across the country, asking whether Freeman was the right fit for the program.
While it’s clear Freeman has the support of some players and staff members, many are still questioning whether his leadership style, combined with the team’s overall performance, will be enough to lead Notre Dame back to national contention. This uncertainty is something that national analysts, as well as those close to the program, have been closely monitoring.
Recruiting Momentum: A Double-Edged Sword
One of the main reasons Freeman is still being given a chance is his impressive recruiting ability. Since taking over as head coach, Freeman has been relentless on the recruiting trail, and Notre Dame’s class rankings have steadily improved under his leadership. His background as a recruiter, coupled with his understanding of defensive strategy, has helped bring in a number of highly rated players. But recruiting success can only take a program so far. As the saying goes, “you can’t win with just recruiting,” and it’s clear that Notre Dame’s results on the field have not yet matched the hype generated by Freeman’s recruiting efforts.
For many of the recruits who have committed to Notre Dame under Freeman’s tenure, the uncertainty surrounding his job security is starting to become a concern. Recruits like Steve Angeli and CJ Carr—two of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the country—are now left questioning whether Freeman will be around to help develop them into the next generation of college football stars.
Steve Angeli: A Quarterback in Waiting
Steve Angeli, a highly regarded quarterback out of New Jersey, committed to Notre Dame with high hopes of leading the Irish offense for the next several years. Angeli’s commitment was seen as a major win for Freeman and his staff, especially considering the competition for quarterbacks in the 2023 and 2024 recruiting cycles. However, with Freeman’s future now uncertain, Angeli’s situation is one to watch closely.
Angeli has shown promise in high school and was expected to compete for playing time early in his career at Notre Dame. However, with Freeman’s continued struggles and the lack of clarity surrounding his future, it’s possible that Angeli could explore his options should Freeman not be retained. The uncertainty regarding the coaching staff at Notre Dame could have significant ramifications for the development of young players like Angeli, who may feel that a change in leadership could offer them a better opportunity to succeed.
Angeli, like many other recruits, made his decision based on the guidance and vision presented by Freeman. A coaching change could disrupt his trajectory and his relationship with the staff, forcing him to make difficult decisions about his future. If Freeman were to be let go, Angeli may have to consider whether he wants to stay at Notre Dame or explore other programs where the leadership feels more secure.
CJ Carr: The Future of Notre Dame Football?
While Steve Angeli is still in the early stages of his career, CJ Carr is another recruit whose future at Notre Dame is clouded by the uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s job. Carr, a 5-star quarterback from Michigan, committed to Notre Dame with the expectation that he would be playing for Freeman, a coach with a reputation for developing young quarterbacks. Carr’s decision to commit to the Fighting Irish was heavily influenced by Freeman’s presence and his vision for the program’s future.
Carr’s commitment is a massive win for Freeman and his staff, as Carr is widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 class. However, like Angeli, Carr’s commitment is now being tested by the uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s future. Carr is one of the most highly sought-after quarterbacks in the country, and a coaching change could force him to reevaluate his commitment to the Irish. As recruiting experts have pointed out, Carr has a variety of options should he decide to reopen his recruitment, and he may look to other programs with more stability in the coaching department.
The situation with Carr highlights the importance of recruiting and how it can be affected by external factors such as coaching changes. Carr and his family are likely weighing the pros and cons of staying at Notre Dame under an uncertain coaching regime versus exploring other programs where the leadership is more stable. If Freeman’s job security continues to hang in the balance, it could have a direct impact on Notre Dame’s ability to retain high-caliber recruits like Carr.
The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean for Notre Dame?
The future of Marcus Freeman as head coach is a topic of national debate, and analysts are divided on whether he will be able to turn things around or whether Notre Dame should consider moving in a different direction. On the one hand, Freeman has done well on the recruiting trail, bringing in top-tier talent and positioning Notre Dame for future success. On the other hand, the lack of on-field success, particularly against the top teams in the nation, raises doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level.
For Notre Dame, the uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s future is a difficult situation to navigate. The program has always prided itself on being a national power, and the Fighting Irish are accustomed to competing for championships. With Freeman at the helm, Notre Dame has not yet been able to consistently reach those heights, which has caused some to question whether Freeman is the right man for the job. However, it’s worth noting that Freeman is still in the early stages of his head coaching career, and many believe he deserves more time to prove himself.
The decision to either retain Freeman or part ways with him will have significant implications for the program moving forward. If Freeman is retained, Notre Dame will need to address its on-field performance and ensure that the program continues to recruit at a high level. If Freeman is let go, the program will need to find a new leader who can bring stability and success to a team that is in the midst of a transitional phase.
In either case, recruits like Steve Angeli and CJ Carr will have to carefully consider their options. The uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s future is forcing many of these young athletes to take a step back and reassess their commitments. Recruiting is always a fluid process, and in the world of college football, coaching changes can have a ripple effect that extends well beyond the current roster.
As the 2025 season approaches, the fate of Marcus Freeman remains uncertain. While his recruiting success has been undeniable, the lack of on-field success and the mixed results of the past few seasons have led to growing concerns about his future as Notre Dame’s head coach. For recruits like Steve Angeli and CJ Carr, the uncertainty surrounding Freeman’s job is forcing them to reconsider their future at Notre Dame. The impact of this situation will likely be felt for years to come, as the Irish must navigate a challenging crossroads in their pursuit of national championships. Only time will tell whether Freeman will rise to the challenge and solidify his place in Notre Dame history or if the program will need to move in a different direction.
