Marcus Freeman is one of the biggest names in college football right now — not just because the Notre Dame head coach has led the Fighting Irish to the brink of its first national championship since 1988, but because of how he has done it.

There’s a history of Cincinnati influence in South Bend, including Kelly, who spent three seasons with the Bearcats before taking the Notre Dame job. A year before Kelly poached Freeman, he hired Bearcats defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, a Cincinnati alum who was a teammate of Freeman’s at Wayne High School outside of Dayton.

Is Marcus Freeman a candidate for the Chicago Bears opening? Here's everything to know about the NFL rumors surrounding Notre Dame's head coach:

Say Marcus Freeman does take an NFL job. Who are the first calls you make to find his replacement at Notre Dame?

Marcus Freeman recently earned a contract extension as Notre Dame's coach, and we're continuing to see why. He's really good at his job, and the honors keep coming in to prove that. Already named the Dodd Coach of the Year,

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman said he has put “zero thought” into coaching in the NFL despite reported interest this week from the Chicago Bears.

Freeman addressed the topic of a potential job opportunity with the Bears, where he made it clear his focus is on Monday night'

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman told reporters on Saturday that he’s given “zero thought into coaching in the NFL.” The Bears have done their homework on Freeman, who is coaching Monday in the national championship game against Ohio State.

Marcus Freeman admitted it was "humbling" to see his name linked with the vacant head coach role with the Chicago Bears, but the Notre Dame head coach wasn't in any mood to discuss the NFL

Here is an in-depth look at Marcus Freeman, who has piqued the Bears' interest following his historic season at Notre Dame.