9:20 PM
Sources told ESPN that Notre Dame's defensive coach Marcus Freeman is the leading candidate to become the Fighting Irish's head coach.
Sources said that no deal has been finalized, and several steps remain before the announcement of the head coach.
He is completing his first season as Notre Dame's defensive coach. Brian Kelly, who left Notre Dame to become LSU's coach earlier this week, has been trying to get Freeman to join his staff.
Sources say that the Notre Dame athletic director met with the man. Tommy Rees told the team Wednesday night that he would remain for the next season.
Several Notre Dame staff members and players think that Freeman will be the team's next head coach. Before joining the staff of Cincinnati as defensive coordinator, he was an assistant with Kent State and Purdue.
Fickell is a candidate for the Notre Dame head-coaching position.
Information from Heather Dinich, Chris Low and Tom VanHaaren was used in the report.
