Will the Nittany Lions make a big splash?
Colin Cowherd urges Penn State to make record-breaking offer for Marcus Freeman originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Colin Cowherd believes Penn State should swing big in its coaching search and that means targeting Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman with a record-breaking offer.
On Wednesday’s episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the longtime FOX Sports analyst said the Nittany Lions should be willing to pay whatever it takes to lure Freeman away from South Bend. This comes after Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft said they're looking to make a big hire following James Franklin’s departure.
Freeman led Notre Dame to a runner-up finish in last year’s College Football Playoff and has proven he's ready for a bigger opportunity. Cowherd sees a bright future for him in Happy Valley.
“I saw another story where Penn State was reportedly gonna pursue Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman,” Cowherd said. “That’s the smart move. Freeman feels like you’ve got 20 years. If I was Penn State, I would pay $15 million a year to get Marcus Freeman.”
"If I was Penn State I would pay $15M a year to get Marcus Freeman."@colincowherd reacts to reports that Penn State is interested in the Notre Dame head coach pic.twitter.com/B9lCcnt0AX
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 15, 2025
If Freeman was offered that kind of contract, he would become college football's highest-paid coach. Penn State’s lucrative football operation and recent investments make such a move feasible. However, would they be willing to pull the trigger on a top-dollar offer after paying $8 million per year to James Franklin for his buyout over the next five years?
“Penn State football last year made $240 million,” Cowherd said. “They’re doing a $700 million Beaver Stadium upgrade. They paid $45 million to get rid of James Franklin. And they would pay $100 million to get Marcus Freeman.”
Freeman took over Notre Dame’s program in 2021 after Brian Kelly’s departure to LSU and has compiled a 37-12 record.
While Cowherd acknowledged Notre Dame’s storied tradition, he said the school can’t afford to lose its top coach. “If I’m Notre Dame today, I call Marcus Freeman’s agent,” he said. “Pay whatever you’ve got to pay. That dude’s got the look, the vibe, the recruiting, the toughness. Don’t let him go.”
As Penn State's national search for a new football coach heats up, we'll quickly get an idea of which direction the program will be going.
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Category: General Sports
