Notre Dame offensive coordinator makes decision on coaching future

Alongside the report that Marcus Freeman would be promoted to become Notre Dame’s next head coach, Tommy Rees’ future with the school was part of the deal. The Fighting Irish defensive coordinator is now expected to move up to the top job after Kelly left for LSU, sources told On3’s Matt Zenitz Wednesday night. Part of his promotion was reportedly dependent on Notre Dame retaining Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator.

Marcus Freeman and Tommy Rees staying together

“All week sources indicated to The Athletic that Notre Dame retaining Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator would be critical to promoting Marcus Freeman to head coach,” detailed The Athletic’s Pete Sampson on Wednesday.

Shortly afterwards, Tommy Rees himself appeared to confirm his decision to stay in a video shared on Twitter.

Initial reports on Notre Dame’s coaching hire indicated that there was some hesitation about hiring a first-time head coach to take over the program. While Freeman was one of the top candidates for the position, it appears that stability in the program was a necessary thing to give Notre Dame confidence in his hiring.

With Rees remaining in place, Brian Kelly’s former program will remain largely intact. It also provides some much needed relief for the Fighting Irish as rumors began quickly that Kelly was attempting to bring Rees with him to LSU.

Now, Rees is going to remain in South Bend alongside Freeman as the pair attempt to continue Notre Dame’s recent success.

Notre Dame is 11-1 this season and in the mix for a potential College Football Playoff appearance. Freeman’s defense is the 11th best in the country, holding teams to 18.3 points per game this season.

Freeman was top candidate to take over

With the news breaking that Brian Kelly will leave Notre Dame for LSU, the Fighting Irish are wasting little time in finding his replacement. According to Notre Dame beat writer Pete Sampson, sources around the program believe that there will be some momentum among the decision-makers at the university to elevate Marcus Freeman. And if he were to take over, he would be a first-time head coach, which is a rarity at Notre Dame.

Freeman is Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. He’s a graduate of Ohio State University, where he played linebacker for the Buckeyes. After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Freeman failed to make an NFL roster. He then elected to return to Ohio State the following year and began his coaching career. From 2011 to now, Freeman has been primarily a linebackers coach. But with Notre Dame and in his previous stop at Cincinnati, he has been the defensive coordinator as well.

But the Fighting Irish would likely have to make a decision on him soon. It is very possible that he could join Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, LA as the Tiger’s defensive coordinator. The year before, Freeman was reportedly on his way to LSU before Kelly swooped in and convinced him to join him in South Bend.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.