Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, a college coach whose name has repeatedly popped up as a candidate for NFL head coaching jobs this cycle, has indicated he’ll be staying in college for 2026, crossing his name off the list of potential hires for the Tennessee Titans.

Freeman posted on social media on Dec. 29 with a simple: “2026…run it back. Go Irish.” Sports Illustrated college sports reported Pat Forde reported that Freeman had been in communication with “two NFL teams” about their coaching vacancies but has informed them that he will be returning to Notre Dame instead of pursuing formal interviews.

The Titans are one of two teams, along with the New York Giants, who fired their coaches midseason and have vacancies heading into the end of the 2025 season.

Freeman, 39, has compiled a 43-13 record in four seasons at Notre Dame, including a national-runner-up finish in 2024 after taking the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff championship game. The Irish finished 10-2 and outside of the playoff in 2025 and opted not to play in a bowl game as a result.

The Titans (3-13) have one more game remaining before the 2025 season comes to an end and the team can begin interviewing candidates for their vacancy in earnest. The Titans would’ve been permitted to speak with and interview Freeman at any point following the decision to fire coach Brian Callahan in October since Freeman is not employed by an NFL team.

Once the season ends, the Titans will be able to begin interviewing candidates employed by other NFL franchises. Before making a hire, the Titans must satisfy the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview a minimum of two external, minority candidates. The Titans will also have to follow the league’s rules about virtual and in-person interview practices during the playoffs if they are aiming to hire a coach from a team making a deep postseason run.

Some of the coaches who are expected to be top candidates for the Titans and other teams with vacancies across the NFL include: San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Seattle offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

The Titans finish their season on Jan. 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) at EverBank Stadium (noon CT, FOX).

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.