Marcus Freeman, Lincoln Riley headline college football coaches linked with potential NFL future

Marcus Freeman and Lincoln Riley headlined college football coaches linked with a potential NFL future, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

It seems like an annual thing with Riley, but Freeman’s name certainly stood out based on what he’s doing with Notre Dame.

Freeman was the only college coach listed with head coaching potential in the NFL as a “candidate for the coming cycle.”

“NFL teams have inquired about Freeman in recent years amidst his meteoric rise in coaching, from his first GA job at his alma mater (Ohio State) in 2010 to becoming the head coach of one of college football’s most iconic programs (Notre Dame) 11 years later,” Pelissero wrote. “Since taking over in the aftermath of Brian Kelly’s midnight exit for LSU, Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to a 28-9 record and current No. 6 national ranking. He’s an engaging presence who will win the interview — if and when he’s willing to take one.”

If Freeman leads Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff and beyond, it could be a lucrative offseason for the Fighting Irish head coach, college or pro.

Marcus Freeman headlines coaches on NFL radars

Syracuse passing game coordinator/WR coach Ross Douglas, 29 years old
Army OL coach Matt Drinkall, 42
Minnesota HC P.J. Fleck, 43
Maryland OC/WR coach Josh Gattis, 40
LSU co-OC/WR coach Cortez Hankton, 43
Ohio State co-OC/WR coach Brian Hartline, 37
USC co-DC/run game coordinator/DL coach Eric Henderson, 41
Colorado DC/S coach Robert Livingston, 38
USC DC D’Anton Lynn, 35
UNLV OC/QB coach Brennan Marion, 37
Virginia Tech DC/LB coach Chris Marve, 35
USC HC Lincoln Riley, 41
Georgia DC/ILB coach Glenn Schumann, 34
Oklahoma AHC/co-DC/CB and NB coach Jay Valai, 37
Purdue HC Ryan Walters, 38
Notre Dame DL coach/defensive run game coordinator Al Washington, 40

The rest of these feature intriguing names from the college ranks, including Riley, that have NFL potential. Granted, it’s unclear if these coaches would hump to become NFL head coaches or assistants.

The most recent example was Boston College coach Jeff Hafley leaving for the Green Bay Packers DC job. That’s something Freeman or Riley likely wouldn’t do. But others very well could go from college assistant/head coach to pro assistant.

Riley’s seen his struggles this season as USC has consistently dipped since his first year in LA. Freeman meanwhile, has risen up the boards and has Notre Dame rolling with two games left against Army and Riley’s Trojans.

Interestingly enough, there was no Deion Sanders on Pelissero’s list.