The Tennessee Titans appear serious about plucking a brand new head coach from the faculty ranks.
Earlier than HC Lane Kiffin went from Ole Miss to LSU, the Titans had been linked to him. It was additionally reported that Texas HC Steve Sarkisian contacted the crew, which he has since denied. Now, the franchise is reportedly eyeing one other school coach: Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, who guided the Combating Irish to the nationwide championship within the 2024 season.
“Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman’s identify has been closely circulated in latest weeks,” wrote ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in a narrative revealed Wednesday. “Here is what I do know. Sure, the Giants are anticipated to have curiosity in him when the carousel kicks off. However the Titans have achieved their analysis, too. And so have just a few groups that can both have a gap or doubtlessly may have one.”
Would hiring Marcus Freeman be a good suggestion for the Titans?
Fowler famous Freeman, who has a 43-12 report in 5 seasons at Notre Dame, will decide if he desires to go to the NFL over the following few weeks. If he jumps to the professionals and takes the Titans job, it could make a splash however increase questions.
Most school coaches flop within the league. See three-time nationwide champion City Meyer, who went 2-11 in 13 video games with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the course of the 2021 season earlier than being fired. Many were happy to see the previous Florida/Ohio State HC go.
Nonetheless, 39-year-old Freeman must be higher in a position to join with gamers than 61-year-old Meyer. He additionally briefly performed within the league, making him extra relatable to gamers.
The Chicago Bears took the previous Ohio State linebacker with decide No. 154 within the 2009 NFL Draft, however he served as a follow squad member. He then hung out on the follow squads of the Buffalo Payments and Houston Texans earlier than a coronary heart situation pressured him to retire in 2010.
On Instagram, former ESPN reporter Paul Kuharsky mentioned a brand new Titans coach ought to prioritize participant relationships. That will make Freeman a extra enticing candidate to Tennessee (3-12).
It is arduous to inform whether or not Freeman’s offense and protection will translate to the NFL. However his soccer IQ will need to have impressed the Chicago Bears final offseason. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported they inquired about him earlier than hiring Ben Johnson.
Talking of Johnson, who has piloted Chicago to an 11-4 report, it does not appear to be there’s one other candidate who’s of the same caliber within the upcoming hiring cycle. One of many prime names is Kansas Metropolis Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. He made the playoffs in his first season as Bears HC in 2018 however went 22-27 in his ultimate three seasons with the crew.
Contemplating the pool of head teaching candidates seems removed from distinctive, it is easy to grasp why the Titans could need to gamble on Freeman. The crew may use a spark after going 6-26 over its previous 32 video games. A younger ascending coach could present simply that.
