Marcus Freeman, Joanna Freeman. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman has never shied away from professing his love for his support system off the field: his wife Joanna Freeman.
Marcus and Joanna married in 2010 after meeting when Marcus was a star linebacker at Ohio State University. Along the way, they welcomed six children together: a son VinnieDaughter SienaSon GinoSon NicoDaughter capri and son Rocco.
Before Marcus was named Notre Dame’s head coach in December 2021, his coaching journey took him everywhere – from his alma mater Ohio State and Kent State to Purdue and four seasons at the University of Cincinnati as the school’s defensive coordinator.
Joanna, a former news anchor, has always been open about the ups and downs of life as a football wife.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has an impressive team off the field, too. Freeman, 38, who became the head football coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, married his wife, Joanna Freeman, in 2010. The couple met during Marcus’ time at Ohio State University, where Marcus (…)
“We don’t have a super romantic love story,” Joanna said Yahoo! sport in 2021. “We had a lot of breakups and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell quickly. We were very young when we met, and in many ways we grew and grew into adults together.”
Read on for Marcus’ best quotes about Joanna.
February 2019
Marcus celebrated the couple’s 9th anniversary with a post via Instagram.
“Nine years and six children later, she still chooses to be called Mrs. Freeman. Happy anniversary,” Marcus wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of the couple from their 2010 wedding.
Joanna responded in the comments: “We haven’t changed a bit! 🤣🤷🏻♀️ I love YOU! 💋.”
May 2019
Marcus posted via Instagram about a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that included a trip to the emergency room for her daughter Capri.
“Crazy weekend: Our 1-year-old breaks her arm; our oldest wins his wrestling tournament; and most of all, we celebrated Mother’s Day with this selfless woman who is the glue of our family,” Marcus wrote alongside three photos, including one of Capri showing off her new arm sling.
February 2020
To celebrate the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary, Marcus posted a carousel of photos via Instagram spans the story of their relationship.
“Celebrating the 10th anniversary of my marriage with the love of my life and the unity of the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Happy anniversary, Jo!”
Joanna commented: “Best day of your life ❤️🤣.”
August 2020
Marcus showed photos from a family photo shoot on the beach via Instagram to celebrate Joanna’s birthday.
“Wishing the Freeman Rock a happy birthday!” Marcus wrote. “Thank you for everything you do, Ms. Freeman. We love you.”
May 2021
Marcus gushed about his wife’s ability to manage the family household in a post celebrating Mother’s Day.
“I don’t know how you do it, but somehow you make it seem like raising six kids is nothing 🇮🇹 💃🏻🤷🏾♂️Happy Mother’s Day! #YouTheBest #YouTheBestEver,” he wrote via Instagram.
December 2021
During his introductory press conference following his appointment as Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus took time to mention Joanna as he concluded his remarks.
“Finally, I would like to say a few thank yous,” said Marcus. “I want to start with my wife Joanna. My wife, my partner, thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for always being there and supporting us most of the time. You may be my harshest critic, but thank you for just being there.”
May 2023
Freeman also gave a special shout out to his mother Chong Freeman in his Mother’s Day 2023 post.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers out there, today we celebrate you!” he wrote via Instagram. “I am especially grateful for these two special women – my wife Joanna and my mother!”
May 2024
Marcus mentioned both Joanna and his mother to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2024.
“I am so blessed to have these two amazing women in my life,” Marcus wrote via Instagramshared pictures of him with both of them. “They have impacted our family in many ways with their selflessness and unconditional love. Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there!”
December 2024
While an appearance about the former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin IIIOn the Outta Pocket With RGIII podcast, Marcus called Joanna “the most selfless woman in the world.”
“She’s often a single parent,” Marcus continued. “And the other part is that I try to merge. There is no balance. There is no balance between head coach and husband and father. That’s why I try to merge my family with our football family as much as possible. My wife can bring two kids and just let them run around during practice.”
Marcus concluded: “I want our players to see me as a father and a husband.”
