Bills Central

Why Bills should target Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman in post-Sean McDermott era

Buffalo will be looking for a new head coach for the first time since 2017
Khari Demos|
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Buffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & Standings

There are a lot of names swirling as to who may be the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills. And one potential candidate who comes to mind isn’t even in the pro ranks.

Marcus Freeman is one of the best football coaches in the country, regardless of level. Since taking over the Notre Dame program in full as its head coach in 2022, Freeman has posted a 43-11 mark. The Fighting Irish also made an appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship game during the 2024 season.

MORE: Bills suffer another playoff exit due to same Sean McDermott-rooted shortcomings

Now, it’s one thing to speculate Freeman as a candidate for the Bills’ vacancy at head coach after firing Sean McDermott. But there’s a lot of smoke around Freeman making it to the NFL level.

"Every NFL team that covets him, has an opening and views him as highly as they do, basically ignored that," said NFL Media national insider Ian Rapoport on January 11 in reference to Freeman announcing his return to ND in December. "These teams who view him highly still believe there is a chance that he comes to the NFL. There's still belief that he's a top-tier candidate."

That sentiment around the league makes a lot of sense. Not only has Freeman been a top coach at one of the biggest brands in college football, but his coaching at a national entity uniquely prepares him for coaching at the NFL level.

Freeman also is one of the more enticing coaching names on the market. With John Harbaugh seemingly off to the Giants, Kevin Stefanski going to Atlanta and Mike Tomlin expecting to take the year off from coaching, Freeman would be in a pool with other up-and-coming coaches who would be first-time HCs.

RELATED: Hard-to-believe Bills' fact proves Brandon Beane's draft record worse than it seems

Although he claims he's staying put, the Buffalo job makes a lot of sense. He would be helping lead a roster that is led by 2024 MVP Josh Allen, has 2025 rushing champion James Cook back in the fold and a defensive roster having just led the NFL in pass defense.

Who says no here? There's no guarantee it happens, but it could benefit the Bills kicking the tires here.

Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

More Buffalo Bills News:

Published
Khari Demos
KHARI DEMOS

Khari Demos is an award-winning sports media creator and is a contributor for Bills On SI. He has written sports betting article covering the NFL for The Athletic and has written pieces about the NBA, MLB, college football and basketball, and more, throughout his career.