Giants, Titans rumor from ESPN lists hot college name as head coach candidate

There are just two head coaching vacancies in the NFL currently, the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.

New York and Tennessee remain the only two franchises that fired their head coaches in the middle of the season, as the Titans moved on from Brian Callahan after a Week 6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Giants canned Daboll after a Week 10 defeat to the Chicago Bears.

With New York and Tennessee already in the 2026 head coaching carousel, the rumors surrounding both vacancies have begun. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added to the fire on Wednesday.

According to Fowler, the Giants and Titans are expected to have interest in Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. Fowler adds that other franchises that could also have vacancies could be interested in Freeman.

"Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman's name has been heavily circulated in recent weeks. Here's what I know. Yes, the Giants are expected to have interest in him when the carousel kicks off. But the Titans have done their research, too. And so have a few teams that will either have an opening or potentially could have one," Fowler wrote.

However, Fowler added that he's talked to coaches who believe Freeman will remain in college.

"I've talked to a few coaches with ties to Freeman who believe he will stay in college. So his name isn't going away, but that's the latest based on what I've heard," Fowler added.

If Freeman does explore the option of moving to the NFL, he will be a hot candidate. The 39-year-old has transformed Notre Dame into a premier program, as the school has posted four straight winning seasons under Freeman and reached the National Championship Game in 2024.

The Giants seem to be eyeing Freeman, given that NFL Network's Mike Garafolo also reported on December 21 that the Fighting Irish head coach will be a top candidate in New York.

Although it also seems like the Titans and other franchises are doing their homework on Freeman. If he wants to leave Notre Dame and pursue an NFL job, Freeman could have some options.

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