THE HERD - Hour 2 - Marcus Freeman explains why he passed up on the NFL to stay at Notre Dame
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “THE HERD - Hour 2 - Marcus Freeman explains why he passed up on the NFL to stay at Notre Dame” inside PodZeus.
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Marcus Freeman, head football coach at Notre Dame, joins the show to discuss his decision to stay at Notre Dame despite significant NFL interest. Freeman reflects on the emotional weight of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry, the unique culture of the program, and the deep personal connection he feels to his players and the institution. He emphasizes the value of education, player development, and being part of a program that supports long-term success and player growth. Cowherd uses the conversation to pivot into broader sports commentary, arguing against the narrative that baseball is in crisis due to financial inequality, citing the success of low-payroll teams like the Guardians and Brewers. He contrasts this with football’s dependency on team dynamics, highlighting how individual greatness is more impactful in basketball and baseball. The episode also features deep dives into NFL draft prospects like Caleb Downs, Reuben Bain, and Makai Lemon, with Cowherd praising the Rams’ ability to develop talent in later rounds. Freeman’s passion for coaching, his belief in player development, and his gratitude for his role at Notre Dame serve as the emotional core of the hour.
Marcus Freeman chose to stay at Notre Dame over NFL opportunities due to his deep emotional connection to the program and players.
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry remains meaningful despite the conference realignment, and Freeman believes it will return in the future.
College football programs with strong academic and cultural foundations like Notre Dame are better positioned to retain talent in the NIL era.
In baseball and basketball, individual greatness can shine even on struggling teams, unlike football where team performance is more dependent on collective execution.
The Rams’ success under Sean McVay shows that drafting skill players in later rounds can be more effective than high picks in the first round.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening: The State of Baseball and the Fear of Payroll Collapse
Cowherd opens the episode by dismissing apocalyptic narratives about baseball’s financial crisis, pointing out that nine of the top 10 highest payrolls are struggling while low-budget teams like the Guardians and Brewers are thriving. He argues that the real issue is poor hitting, not money.
Marcus Freeman Joins the Show: The Decision to Stay at Notre Dame
“I think for me, probably the deciding factor was love for the job I have now and the care I have for the players, the support I have for this program.”
Player Development and the Notre Dame Advantage
The conversation shifts to Notre Dame’s ability to develop elite talent like Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price. Freeman praises Love’s rare athleticism and Price’s versatility, emphasizing the program’s focus on holistic player development and preparation.
CJ Carr: The Ultimate Preparedness Story
“He's red shirting in 2024, no chance of playing. He's not the starter. He's not the backup. He's not even the third string. He's the red shirt quarterback. And I remember one evening, probably eight o'clock, nine o'clock looking in the indoor and he was in there going through a practice script like quarterbacks do and making motions and throwing it.”
The NFL Draft: Reuben Bain, Caleb Downs, and the Rams’ Strategy
“If you go look at their skill players, dude, it is a lot. They went and got Jordan Whittingham out of Texas in the sixth round. They got a seventh rounder out of Pitt Mumfield last year receiver. He's capable.”
“I think for me, probably the deciding factor was love for the job I have now and the care I have for the players, the support I have for this program.”
“If you're great, it doesn't matter what's around you. I mean, Shohei Ohtani was playing for the Angels. Mike Trout was playing for the Angels. You're like, oh, that's the best player in baseball.”
“He's red shirting in 2024, no chance of playing. He's not the starter. He's not the backup. He's not even the third string. He's the red shirt quarterback. And I remember one evening, probably eight o'clock, nine o'clock looking in the indoor and he was in there going through a practice script like quarterbacks do and making motions and throwing it.”
Host
Guest
Colin Cowherd
person
Marcus Freeman
person
Notre Dame
organization
USC
organization
Jeremiah Love
person
Dodgers
organization
CJ Carr
person
Jadarian Price
person
Reuben Bain
person
Rams
organization
Joe and Jada - Fetty Wap talks ‘Zavier’ album, NEW chapter in career & music industry’s hard lessons
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 44m • 3/31/2026
3 & Out - NFL Annual League Meeting Reaction + NFL Offseason Mailbag
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 1h 6m • 3/31/2026
Best of The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 34m • 3/31/2026
THE HERD - Hour 3 - Thoughts on who should be the MVP
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 34m • 3/31/2026
THE HERD - Hour 2 - Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stops by The Herd
The Herd with Colin Cowherd • 41m • 3/31/2026
Get the full intelligence
Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “THE HERD - Hour 2 - Marcus Freeman explains why he passed up on the NFL to stay at Notre Dame” inside PodZeus.
Start discovering podcast insights today
Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.
No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime