Marcus Freeman and his wife, Joanna.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesHead football coach at Notre Dame Marcus Freeman he had his wife, Joanna Freemanby your side every step of your grilling journey.
Marcus, 39, and Joanna met during Marcus’ time at Ohio State University, where he was a star linebacker from 2004 to 2008. According to Yahoo! sportsthe two were introduced by Marcus’s best friend, Calvin Pruittwhile Marcus and Joanna lived in the same apartment complex in Columbus.
At the time, Joanna was studying at nearby Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. She would become a news reporter at WBNS-Channel 10 in Columbus before she and Marcus started their family together.
Marcus was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, and would later be signed to the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans that same year, though he never saw any NFL game action.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has a pretty impressive team off the field as well. Freeman, 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 was a star (…)
His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before seeing stops at Kent State University, Purdue University and University of Cincinnati. Marcus was named head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021.
Along the way, Joanna has been there for it all, including the Freemans, who became parents to six children together: son Vinny17 years old, daughter Sienna12, son Gino11, son Nico9, daughter Capri7 and son Rocco6.
For a complete timeline of Marcus and Joanna’s relationship, read on.
2007
Marcus and Freeman welcomed their first child, son Vinny. Now a senior at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, Vinny plays safety for the school’s football team. He is also an accomplished wrestler, and announced his commitment to Cornell University in April 2025.
2010
The couple married just months before Freeman’s coaching journey began as an assistant at his alma mater, Ohio State.
2012
Marcus and Joanna welcomed their first daughter, Siennawhile Marcus was the linebackers coach at Kent State University.
2013
The couple’s second child, Ginowas born while Marcus was the linebackers coach at Purdue University.
By July 2018, Marcus already had Gino and Vinny following in his footsteps. “It’s officially Freeman football season,” Marcus posted via Instagramshowing the brothers wearing football helmets and posing with their father.
2015
Marcus and Joana welcomed their son, Nicowhile Marcus was still working at Purdue. In 2017, he would become the defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati.
“Happy 4th birthday to our Nico!” Marcus shared via Instagram in 2019, showing a picture of a birthday celebration that included then-Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell.
2017
The Freemans welcomed their second daughter, Capriin the world
In an image shared by Marcus via InstagramCapri’s four brothers smiled and posed with their little sister shortly after her birth.
“Welcome to this world and to our Capri family!!” Marcus wrote.
2018
Marcus and Joanna’s sixth baby, son Nicowas born shortly before the holidays.
“Merry Christmas from the Freeman crew,” shared Marcus via Instagram in December 2018, showing her entire family smiling in front of a fireplace full of stockings.
2020
Marcus celebrated the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary with a slideshow of images from their life together.
“Celebrating 10 years of being married to the love of my life and the glue of the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote via Instagram. “Happy Birthday Jo!”
2021
The entire Freeman family was on hand when Marcus signed a contract to become the 30th head coach in Notre Dame history.
“My family and I want to thank everyone for their overwhelming support,” Marcus wrote via Instagram. “This is a special community and we’re lucky to still be a part of it. To my boys, let’s get this win! Let’s go Irish!”
2023
Marcus celebrated Mother’s Day with a photo of Joanna and her mom, Chong Freeman.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there, we celebrate you today!” she shared via Instagram. “I am especially grateful for these two special women: my wife, Joanna, and my mother!”
2025
Joanna and the six children celebrated in the field with Marcus after Notre Dame defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, earning them a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
2025
Marcus and Joanna brought their children Check out WWE Royal Rumble 2025 in Indianapolis.
The family had ringside seats for the show, which took place at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. During the event, the Freemans were shown on the massive video screens inside, drawing a huge reaction from the more than 70,000 fans in attendance.
2025
During an interview with Ryan Clark activated “The Pivot Podcast” in August, Marcus was asked about their good looks and how they’ve “become a big part of Marcus Freeman’s production.”
“Man, I’ll tell you what,” Marcus said with a laugh. “I try to stay away from it as much as I can, you know what I mean? There’s not going to be a good answer for that question. I’ll tell you what, I’m just trying to keep my wife happy. That’s it. I’m just trying to keep my wife happy.”
2026
Marcus and Joana were involved in an alleged altercation at one of his son Vinny’s wrestling meets on January 3rd. A wrestling coach at another high school accused Marcus of battery over an alleged physical incident near the gymnasium doors at Mishawaka High School in Indiana.
According to a police report, Joanna was accused of yelling at the coach once things spilled in the school hallway.
After an investigation, which involved watching the surveillance videoBoth Marcus and Joanna were cleared of any wrongdoing and the St. Joseph declined to press charges.