Notre Dame set to promote Freeman to head coach

A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that Notre Dame is working on an agreement to promote defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head coach to replace Brian Kelly.

Because nothing had been formalized, the individual spoke on the condition of anonymity, albeit the first component of Notre Dame’s strategy to regroup after Kelly left for LSU earlier this week had already fallen into place.

Instead of joining Kelly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees notified Notre Dame that he will stay with the Fighting Irish. On Twitter, Notre Dame shared a video of Rees telling the players he was sticking put.

The next step is to promote Freeman, who would become Notre Dame’s second Black head football coach after Tyrone Willingham (2002-04).

Kelly was also interested in bringing Freeman to LSU, according to the source. Kelly left Notre Dame after 12 seasons, with the Fighting Irish still in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth. He was introduced as the Tigers’ coach on Wednesday.