IT’S OFFICIAL: MARCUS FREEMAN LEAVES NOTRE DAME TO BEGIN NEW ERA AT TEXAS TECH
LUBBOCK, TEXAS — In a seismic move that has shaken the college football landscape, Marcus Freeman has officially been named the new head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, ending his three-year tenure at Notre Dame. The announcement, made early Sunday morning, marks the beginning of what Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Holcutt called “a new era of toughness, discipline, and national ambition.”
Freeman, 39, brings with him a reputation as one of the sharpest young minds in college football. During his time at Notre Dame, he compiled a 30–9 record, led the Fighting Irish to two New Year’s Six bowl appearances, and built a top-five national recruiting class in 2024. But despite on-field success, sources close to the program revealed persistent philosophical differences between Freeman and the Notre Dame administration—particularly regarding NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies and player autonomy—ultimately leading to his departure.
Texas Tech, coming off a rollercoaster 7–6 season under former head coach Joey McGuire, made an aggressive push to land Freeman. Their offer reportedly includes a seven-year, $56 million contract, full control over staff hires, and a dedicated NIL fund managed through the Red Raider Collective valued at $11 million annually—among the highest in the Big 12.
At his introductory press conference held at Jones AT&T Stadium, Freeman was visibly energized.
“This isn’t just about football,” he said. “This is about building a culture that reflects West Texas grit, resilience, and pride. I didn’t come here to rebuild—I came here to elevate.”
Freeman inherits a Tech program rich in history but long starved for national relevance. The Red Raiders haven’t reached a Big 12 Championship game since 2008 and haven’t appeared in a major bowl since the Mike Leach era. Freeman, a former linebacker at Ohio State and defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Notre Dame, is expected to instill a more physical brand of football—something Tech fans have been craving for years.
“He’s the kind of leader who commands the locker room, connects with recruits, and builds NFL talent,” said Holcutt. “Texas Tech football is about to turn a corner.”
Indeed, Freeman wasted no time. Within hours of the announcement, four-star linebacker Kamari West—originally committed to Notre Dame—flipped to Texas Tech. Sources say Freeman’s arrival has already triggered discussions among other high-profile recruits looking to follow him to Lubbock. Additionally, two former Notre Dame assistants—OC Tommy Rees and strength coach Matt Balis—are expected to join Freeman in Tech’s restructured staff.
National media outlets are already touting Texas Tech as the potential surprise contender in the new-look Big 12, especially with powerhouse programs like Oklahoma and Texas now officially in the SEC.
As Freeman stood on the field with a scarlet and black Texas Tech hat on his head and the West Texas wind tugging at his suit jacket, he paused and smiled.
“There’s something special brewing out here,” he said. “I didn’t come here to chase the past—I came to build the future.”
And with that, the Freeman Era in Lubbock officially begins.
Would you like this rewritten in a sports magazine format or turned into a social media news thread?
