Marcus Freeman, Cincinnati defensive coordinator
Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26
Freeman checks all of the boxes for Orgeron. The 34-year-old played his college football at Ohio State, where he made 37 career starts. He was drafted into the NFL by the Chicago Bears but retired shortly thereafter as he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart.
Freeman immediately began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater. In 2011, he earned his first full-time coaching job as linebackers coach at Kent State where he would spend two seasons.
Freeman would next venture to Purdue, where he coached linebackers for three years and was co-defensive coordinator in his final season there in 2016.
Freeman came to Cincinnati in 2017 and has excelled in his four seasons there. In 2020, when Cincinnati won the AAC with an undefeated record, Freeman’s defense was No. 11 in total defense and No. 7 in scoring defense.
Cincinnati plays Georgia in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl on Jan. 1.
Freeman has the experience, a track record of success, and the ability to relate to young players. He will be a head coach soon.
He should at the top of Orgeron’s list.