Notre Dame coach search: Matt Campbell, Marcus Freeman, Luke Fickell top contenders to replace Brian Kelly

The chaotic training carousel turned another round on Monday night like LSU hire Brian Kelly are from Notre Dame. Kelly, who just became the all-time winning coach in Irish Fighting history this season, leaves Notre Dame with a leadership void after 12 years at the helm.

Look for Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to serve as caretaker manager during these tumultuous times. Treat it like an audition because the obvious #1 candidate should now be State of Iowa Matt Campbell.

Unlike By Cincinnati Luke Fickell, Campbell doesn’t have to face the complications of coming College football The knockout round. Campbell’s season is over, except for one bad game. Campbell has been looking forward to the Notre Dame job for some time, according to sources. This is also an ideal time to leave the State of Iowa considering how difficult it is to maintain success there.

Kelly has been promoted 54-9 at Notre Dame for the past five seasons since overhauling her staff ahead of the 2017 campaign. The next coach will inherit a program that is in the process of producing a recruiting class. best for many years. The only question is who the next coach will be.

Let’s take a look at the top candidates to replace Kelly at Notre Dame.

Matt Campbell, Iowa State coach: Before the season got on, it was known that Campbell would only consider quitting for two jobs: Ohio State or Notre Dame Cathedral. Ohio is not open. Notre Dame Cathedral has just opened. The question is whether the job will fall into his hands. Freeman is an employee. Fickell doesn’t look like he’s leaving. Veteran NFL Bill Polian campaigned for Campbell. His son, Brian, is currently the Notre Dame specials team coach under Kelly.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame defense coordinator: Perhaps the easiest path for Irish people in these desperate times. Fickell will leave a team undefeated in the playoff race. Bob Stoops Has a Job (Fox Analyst, Oklahoma temporary coach). Freeman was never a head coach, but he is Notre Dame’s best scorer at the moment. A word of caution: The last time ND was promoted from within his ranks was when Bob Davie, who followed Lou Holtz in 1997. Davie lasted five seasons after hitting 35-25. The last time Notre Dame hired a coach without head coach experience was Charlie Weis in 2005. Weis lasted five seasons after going 35-27.

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati Coach: The chances of Fickell leaving the Bearcats for any job are now slim. Cincinnati is just five days away from winning a playoff spot. Unlike Kelly, it would be far-fetched to believe he will leave Cincinnati in the middle of the playoff race. However, Fickell has the pedigree, having been an Ohio and Midwestern lad throughout his career.

Bob Stoops, Fox analyst and Oklahoma interim coach: When he was a coach, Stoops’ name would appear whenever Notre Dame Cathedral opened. He never took it then, but would he take it now? The biggest obstacle was his commitment to guiding OU through Lincoln Riley’s absence. That is priority. Stops at 61 but looks 51. Don’t know if that makes any difference.

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwest coach: Easily the best coach in Northwestern history, if Fitzgerald is considering leaving the Wildcats, Notre Dame presents an exciting opportunity. Given that Fitzgerald has succeeded despite the constraints of coaching at a private school with high academic standards, he could enter the job in Ireland with what it takes to win. It would be difficult to scout a Northwestern man from his alma mater because Fitzgerald is said to have rejected NFL interest in the past, but the ability to actually compete for the national championship and lead Leading one of the top teams in college football could be a draw. An important consideration: Fitzgerald just signed a 10-year contract with Northwestern in January.