Chicago Bears head coaching search includes Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman | Report
In December, the Chicago Bears were linked to one of the fastest-rising names in college football. After the new year, the Bears want to gauge his interest.
The Bears are reportedly looking to interview Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman for their head coach vacancy, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Freeman is three days removed from earning Notre Dame a berth in the College Football National Championship game against Ohio State following a thrilling 27-24 win over Penn State.
Pelissero noted the Bears have done "extensive research" on Freeman as a coaching candidate.
So far, the Bears have spoken to Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Vrabel is the only candidate off the board, as he took the opening in New England.
The Bears are reportedly speaking to former Bears linebacker, Bears defensive coordinator and NFL coach Ron Rivera.
Freeman would be the second coach from the college ranks to garner interest from the Bears in the new year. The Chicago Tribune reported the Bears are interested in Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, who reportedly interviewed for the Detroit Lions' opening in 2021.
The search including Freeman makes sense for multiple reasons.
The first is the success Freeman has had in the 2024 season. He's led Notre Dame to a national title game, a 13-1 record and wins over Georgia, Indiana and Penn State in the College Football Playoff. With a win over Ohio State, Freeman will win Notre Dame its first national title since 1988. He's done this while overcoming a crippling loss to Northern Illinois in the second week of the season.
Second, Freeman is also a former Bear. The franchise drafted him out of Ohio State in the 2009 NFL Draft. Freeman retired shortly after his playing career began due to an enlarged heart valve.
Finally, Freeman has done a lot in a short amount of time. He's gone from a 9-5 record in his first season to earning a title-game berth, showing a thorough understanding of the modern-day college game and winning with player development along with key transfers.
However, the last point applies to the college game. Coaching in the NFL is much different. Departing for the NFL would mean Freeman would have to leave a university which extended him with a pay day that rivals some of the highest-paid coaches in college football for the professional game where the leashes are shorter.
Time will tell when it comes to how serious Freeman's candidacy is, especially for a coaching search that could be dependent on how far the Lions traverse into the playoffs if the Bears want one of their two coordinators.