12/2/2021 football Edit

Live updates: Marcus Freeman expected to be named Notre Dame head coach

Tyler Horka • InsideNDSports

Staff Writer

All that is left is for Notre Dame to make it official.

Sources confirmed to BlueandGold.com Wednesday night that Marcus Freeman will soon be named Notre Dame’s head football coach. He will replace the winningest coach in program history, Brian Kelly, who left for LSU this week.

Follow along below for a recap of Wednesday’s events and live updates of Thursday’s news related to Freeman and his coaching staff.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football’s Marcus Freeman — Freeman is expected to officially be elevated from Notre Dame defensive coordinator to head coach. (Associated Press)

12:36 p.m. Thursday: BlueandGold.com releases new recruiting visit information

12:26 p.m. Thursday: Michael Smith says Marcus Freeman will win a national title before Brian Kelly on the Rich Eisen Show

9:12 a.m. Thursday: BlueandGold.com reports Tommy Rees and other Notre Dame assistants are on the recruiting trail

1:49 a.m. Thursday: Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel releases a column on what the expected hiring of Marcus Freeman means for Notre Dame

10:11 p.m. Wednesday: Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel says Notre Dame’s official announcement of head coach is not imminent

8:49 p.m. Wednesday: BlueandGold.com reports Marcus Freeman will be named Notre Dame’s next head coach

It is unclear when Notre Dame will make it official, but per BlueandGold.com and numerous other media outlets Freeman will be named the Fighting Irish’s next head coach in the coming days.

While Freeman has been in the process of getting his contract in order, almost all of Notre Dame’s primary assistants from a year ago have been retained. At roughly the same time BlueandGold.com’s sources confirmed the Freeman news, they confirmed that offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and tight ends coach John McNulty would be staying with Freeman as well.

Not long after, defensive line coach Mike Elston, running backs coach Lance Taylor, safeties coach Chris O’Leary and cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens were confirmed to BlueandGold.com to be retaining their status on the Irish staff.

INITIAL STORY: Notre Dame will promote Marcus Freeman to head coach, replacing Brian Kelly

WHAT IT MEANS: What hiring Marcus Freeman would mean for Notre Dame football going forward

RETAINING ASSISTANTS: Tommy Rees turns down LSU, will remain Notre Dame offensive coordinator

COLUMN: Three reasons why Marcus Freeman is the perfect hire for Notre Dame