Well, this is not a name that a lot of people expected. With James Franklin officially fired by Penn State over the weekend, the pressure is now on for athletic director Pat Kraft to make a home-run hire and inject some excitement back into the program.
Trace McSorley shares heartfelt message after Penn State fired James Franklin
Enter Marcus Freeman? Freeman is getting incredible things done in South Bend with Notre Dame and he's fresh off a trip to the National Championship game last winter - the Irish ultimately fell to Ohio State. According to Pete Nakos, though, Kraft will be ready to make a run at trying to convince Freeman to leave ND to take over things for the Nittany Lions. Whoa:
NEW: Penn State AD Pat Kraft plans to take a couple of big swings during the hiring process. One name that he may make a run at is Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, sources tell @PeteNakos_👀https://t.co/Nj9usKsV4M pic.twitter.com/t1DtZDPjVK
— On3 (@On3sports) October 14, 2025
Pat Kraft is reportedly thinking of going after Marcus Freeman to take over at Penn State
This really would be something. Freeman has consistently said he could not be happier at Notre Dame. After the losses to Miami and Texas A&M, it seemed like Notre Dame was essentially a lock to miss out on the College Football Playoff this season.
However, the Fighting Irish have been perfect since then and they've got one foot back into the CFP. As things stand, Notre Dame and Freeman are 4-2 on the year and ranked No. 13 in the country. Obviously, they'll have to win out in order to make the final 12.
Things have been totally different for Penn State. After starting off the year 3-0, the Nittany Lions have lost three straight, with the loss to Northwestern wrapping things up for Franklin with the program. Kraft made the tough call to let him go, but Franklin had to know his seat was sizzling hot after the defeat at UCLA. Then losing to Northwestern? Can't happen.
Kraft wants to make a splash and other names being linked to Penn State are Matt Rhule, Matt Campbell, Curt Cignetti and more. Now, we can add Freeman to the list of coaches Kraft is going to be in contact with sooner rather than later. Could Penn State turn the college football world upside down by landing Freeman? Never say never.