Jesse Palmer Compares Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman to Taylor Swift

Jesse Palmer isn’t surprised by Marcus Freeman’s extra cameratime.

During an interview about his partnership with Great Clips, Us Weekly couldn’t help but ask the Bachelor host and college football analyst, 46, about the social media chatter surrounding Freeman’s good looks every time Notre Dame plays a game.

“First off, I agree. Marcus Freeman is very good looking,” Palmer told Us. “Speaking of good genetics, he was a great football player too — for The Ohio State University, might I add — before coaching at Notre Dame. He’s the total package. He’s not just a great coach. He also happens to be extremely handsome on the sideline.”

Palmer hypothesized that Freeman, 39, “doesn’t pay too much attention” to the hype, however.

“[Or he] doesn’t let it affect his preparation for the big game. He’s a busy guy. He’s got to get the X’s and O’s ready on game day. He’s got to make sure his team is in the right headspace. He’s recruiting, he’s doing everything. You’re the head coach for Notre Dame. I mean, that’s got to be one of the most pressure packed head coaching positions in any sport in the entire world,” Palmer said. “He handles it all extremely well. And yes, there’s a lot of camera shots of him on the side. You notice that? Maybe more than the normal head coach. I mean, Ryan Day should be getting his fair share too. He’s got a great beard. He looks great too, but I mean listen, it’s like watching a Kansas City Chiefs game with Taylor Swift in the box. You got to give a lot of shots that way. You have to take it for the fans at home. If you’re watching a Notre Dame game, you’re probably getting a lot of Marcus Freeman on the sidelines.”

To sum it up? “He’s become the Taylor of college football.”

As NFL viewers know, it’s common to get a glimpse of Swift when she’s watching boyfriend Travis Kelce, whom she’s been dating since summer 2023, at Chiefs games. While the superstar will likely be in KC this weekend, fans will see plenty of Freeman (and Day) when the Fighting Irish take on The Ohio State Buckeyes at the National Championship in Atlanta on Monday, January 20.

Palmer, for his part, will be tuning in — and thinks the Buckeyes will be winning it all.

“It’s two excellent defenses squaring off. So I think this game’s going to come down to which can make the most explosive plays, and that’s where I think Ohio State has an advantage. I really do,” he said. “I think running the ball and throwing the football, I think there’s some weapons, especially at wide receiver that I think are going to be big differences and Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith for Ohio State. So I’m expecting the Buckeyes to win. I do want to preface that my brother played at Notre Dame, so our family has strong Notre Dame ties. I’ve already told him my prediction and what I think is going to happen. So I’ve cleared it with Billy and I’m allowed to tell you, I think Ohio State’s going to win.”

During the game, fans can also expect to see Palmer’s Great Clips commercial that aired during the playoff.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my hair has just done what it wants. I mean I can style my hair in five seconds [with] a little pomade. I could do it in the dark. It doesn’t matter what I do — It’s going to look like that. It’s been looking like that ever since I was 6,” Palmer said. “So this may come as a massive surprise to many people, but this is actually very, very low maintenance for me. Although the haircut is key, which is why I love Great Clips because you have to go consistency, right? It’s like when you play football and your performance, so much of it is talent, but a lot of it has to deal with what you put in going into game day and so great haircut, some genetics and some pomade. Boom. I’m ready.”

College football fans can visit participating Great Clips salons across the United States through January 31, 2025 to claim a $9.99 coupon for a haircut.

“[The partnership] is very organic to me just because it’s sort of a microcosm of my entire life. And I remember when I was a player getting ready to play in the game and now that I’m broadcasting or even hosting The Bachelor when we’re doing those live shows — Men Tell All or After the Final Rose — confidence in live television is so important,” he concluded. “And oftentimes when you look great, you feel great and you perform great. There’s a saying in football, look good, feel good, play good. Deion Sanders would say get paid good. And that’s kind of what this is for me.”

For more information about this offer, fans can visit http://www.GreatClips.com/Football through January 21, 2025. The coupon will be valid only at participating salons through January 31, 2025.