The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are expected to hire a new head coach soon, and they didn’t have to look very far.

Brian Kelly’s defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is set to become the Irish’s next head coach, according to multiple reports from Football Scoop and On3’s Matt Zenitz. Following Kelly’s departure to LSU, Freeman had a lot of momentum inside the program to land the vacant position, and it appears a formal announcement is coming soon.

Kelly recruited both Freeman and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to follow him to LSU; however, Freeman landed the head coaching job and Rees turned down Kelly’s offer at LSU. So, it may be a packaged deal for Freeman and Rees to remain at Notre Dame. Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Rees is staying at Notre Dame and will remain as the offensive coordinator.

Freeman was a former linebacker at Ohio State, and prior to his hiring at Notre Dame in 2020, Freeman served as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator, where his unit was one of the top in the nation.

Freeman was hired at Notre Dame after Clark Lea left for the Vanderbilt job last year.

Per FootballScoop’s report, Freeman may receive a 5-year contract.

Assuming it happens, this is a good move for Notre Dame, because Freeman is an up-and-coming coach, and he helps keep the Irish’s top recruiting class together. It also helps keep offensive coordinator Tommy Rees in South Bend.