Notre Dame is about to crank up its unexpected coaching search following the reports of Brian Kelly heading to LSU. The Tigers haven’t announced Kelly as their new head coach yet, but those are expected in the next 24 hours.

The Irish job is very attractive, and many candidates will be considered around the nation. Kelly has recruited well, and it’s a turn key job for the next head coach.

Notre Dame insider and The Athletic’s Pete Sampson is reporting that there will be some momentum to promote current defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman to head coach.

“If Notre Dame has to make a move at head coach, sources indicate there will be some momentum among decision-makers at the University to elevate Marcus Freeman,” Sampson wrote. “First-time head coaches generally don’t work here, but Notre Dame is in a more stable place today than previous hires.”

Freeman was hired away from Cincinnati by Kelly this past offseason to improve the Irish’s defense. Promoting Freeman to the head coaching job could be attractive for several reasons. It would keep most of the staff intact, assuming Notre Dame would want to do that, and it would also be beneficial to keep the current commits in the fold.

Over the next several days, Notre Dame will contact top candidates around the country to gauge interest.