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: wife Joanna Freeman.
Marcus and Joanna got married in 2010 after meeting while Marcus was a star linebacker at The Ohio State University. Along the way, they have welcomed six kids together: son Vinny, daughter Siena, son Gino, son Nico, daughter Capri and son Rocco.
Before being named the head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, Marcus’ coaching journey took him all over — from his Ohio State alma mater 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 candid about the highs and lows of life as a football wife.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has quite the impressive squad 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 The Ohio State University, where Marcus was a […]
“We don’t have a super romantic love story,” Joanna told Yahoo! Sports in 2021. “We had a lot of breakups and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell fast. We were really young when we met, and in a lot of ways, we really grew and matured into adults together.”
For Marcus’s best quotes about Joanna, keep reading.
February 2019
Marcus celebrated the couple’s 9-year anniversary with a post via Instagram.
“9 years and 6 kids 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! 🤣🤷🏻♀️ Love YOU! 💋.”
May 2019
Marcus posted via Instagram about a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that involved a trip to the emergency room for their daughter, Capri.
“Crazy weekend: our 1 year old breaks her arm; our oldest wins his wrestling tourney; and most importantly we celebrated Mother’s Day with this unselfish woman who is the glue to our family,” Marcus wrote alongside a trio of photos, including one of Capri showing off her new arm sling.
February 2020
To celebrate the couple’s milestone 10th wedding anniversary, Marcus posted a carousel of photos via Instagram spanning the history of their relationship.
“Celebrating 10 years of being married to the love of my life and the glue to the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Happy anniversary Jo!”
Joanna commented, “Best day of your life ❤️🤣.”
August 2020
Marcus showed off photos from a family beach photoshoot via Instagram to commemorate Joanna’s birthday.
“Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the Freeman rock!” Marcus wrote. “Thank you for all you do Mrs. Freeman. We love you.”
May 2021
Marcus gushed about his wife’s ability to run the family household in a post to celebrate Mother’s Day.
“I don’t know how you do it but somehow you make raising 6 kids by yourself seem like it’s nothing 🇮🇹 💃🏻🤷🏾♂️Happy Mother’s Day to the best ever! #YouTheBest #YouTheBestEver,” he wrote via Instagram.
December 2021
During his introductory press conference after being named the head coach at Notre Dame, Marcus took time to mention Joanna as he wrapped up his remarks.
“Lastly, there’s a few thank yous I want to give,” Marcus said. “I want to start with my wife, Joanna. My wife, my partner, thank you for your unselfishness. Thank you for always being there and your support most of the time. You can be my toughest critic, but thank you for just being there.”
May 2023
Freeman also gave a special shoutout to his mother, Chong Freeman, in his Mother’s Day post in 2023.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing Moms out there, today we celebrate you!” he wrote via Instagram. “I’m especially grateful for these two special women—my wife, Joanna, and my Mom!”
May 2024
Marcus mentioned both Joanna and his mother to celebrate Mother’s Day in 2024.
“I’m so blessed to have these two amazing women in my life,” Marcus wrote via Instagram, sharing pictures of him with both of them. “They have impacted our family in so many ways with their selflessness and unconditional love. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible moms out there!”
December 2024
During an appearance on former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III’s podcast “Outta Pocket With RGIII,” Marcus called Joanna “the most unselfish wife in the world.”
“A lot of times she is a single parent,” Marcus continued. “And the other part is that I try to blend. There’s no balance. There is not a balance being a head coach and being a husband and father. So, I try to blend my family with our football family as much as I can. My wife can bring two kids and just let them run around at practice.”
Marcus concluded, “I want our players to see me as a father and husband.”