NFL rumors: Urban Meyer shares advice for Marcus Freeman
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s rejection from the College Football Playoff and subsequent bow out of the bowl game may have ended their regular season in the sport, but the buzz around head coach Marcus Freeman is still as hot as ever.
Yes, the college football coaching carousel has completed its final journey. Lane Kiffin went to LSU, Jon Sumrall took the job at Florida, and Matt Campbell is the new sheriff at Penn State. But the rumors about Freeman concern the NFL, not any other school.
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman sings the Alma Mater song after beating the Boise State Broncos on Oct. 4, 2025, at Notre Dame Stadium. (Michael Caterina/Imagn Images)
Freeman’s name has popped up in rumors since last season when the Chicago Bears began their search for a new head coach, eventually hiring Ben Johnson. Now, Freeman’s name has been linked to the New York Giants’ job as they will begin their own head coaching search when the clock reaches three zeros in their Week 18 game.
Urban Meyer had some thoughts about Freeman possibly making the jump to the NFL. Meyer coached Florida and Ohio State to national championships but completely flamed out during one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I would say: ‘You’ll 100% stay in college.’ As a head coach in college, you have controllables. There are so many uncontrollable things that you don’t have in the NFL, whether it’s the GM, whether it’s the team owner… In college, it’s you,” he said on FOX Sports. “The Herd with Colin Cowherd.”
“Besides, you’re going to lose in the NFL. It’s built – and I’m not sure about the Marcus I know – he can’t handle losing like I can’t handle losing. You’re going to win at Notre Dame.”
Former Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer and former Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier speak before a press conference at the University of Florida Heavener Football Training Center on December 1, 2025. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)
BILL BELICHICK Releases Statement Insisting He Is Not Pursuing NFL Coaching Jobs
Freeman speaks Complex News About the possibility of moving on to the NFL.
“I often, not always, but when I feel like I can get that across to the players as a message, I address them and say: ‘Don’t let someone else’s noise be your noise.’ You don’t have to let someone else’s noise be my noise, right? And someone might say to me: ‘Hey, your name fits the bill, okay?’ But it doesn’t have to be my voice. These don’t have to be the things I think about. I need to appreciate the opportunity we have in the moment, but also use it as an act of gratitude.
“Number one, I have the utmost respect for the Giants organization. You talk about the history of the NFL, what a special organization it is. But number two, it’s also about being grateful for the job you have, because if we were in a terrible situation, you wouldn’t say that. So I know we’re in this situation because of the people. It’s not one person. It’s because of the people.”
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after the Irish scored a goal against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Freeman is someone the Giants have “great respect for.” New York Post reported.
The Giants have Mike Kafka serving as interim head coach, but with the tremendous talent on offense, a solid hire could turn the team back into a playoff contender.
