Marcus Freeman may replace former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees with Byron Leftwich.
With Tommy Rees leaving for Alabama, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has to make a splash in hiring his next offensive coordinator.
Though the Irish improved as the season progressed, Freeman cannot afford to let his team get behind the eight-ball offensively. It is why he has to find the right, long-term replacement over the former Fighting Irish quarterback at the helm. One name who has been tied to the Notre Dame gig is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who was recently let go.
The only thing stopping this Thundering Herd of Fighting Irishmen might be … the Akron Zips!
Byron Leftwich reached out to Notre Dame about the OC position last week, per source. He and Marcus Freeman have stayed in contact as Leftwich remains a serious candidate for the job. @247Sports
— Grace Remington (@GraceRemiTV) February 6, 2023
Notre Dame rumors: Byron Leftwich a serious candidate for coordinator gig
This would be a huge get for the Irish for sure. Heading into last season, Leftwich was on a shortlist of offensive coordinator candidates who could realistically be named an NFL head coach in 2023. Of course, it was a year from hell for the defending NFC South champs. A sub-.500 record and a first-round exit were the results of Bruce Arians going upstairs. Tom Brady would later retire…
Leftwich is a college football legend from his days at Marshall, but all of his notable coaching experience had been in the NFL. The noted Arians protege first cut his teeth with him on the Arizona Cardinals staff before making his way to Tampa Bay. Interestingly, Leftwich interviewed for his former employer last offseason cycle. The Jacksonville Jaguars went with Doug Pederson.
Ultimately, Notre Dame is a big enough job to get Leftwich to go back to college. While the Fighting Irish have a massive nationwide fanbase, Leftwich is used to the NFL and being the offensive coordinator for the greatest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Sam Hartman is a great college player, but nobody is Brady. Truth be told, this would not be a bad landing spot.
Losing Rees could have derailed Freeman, but he can upgrade his coaching staff by hiring Leftwich.
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