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Marcus Freeman and his wife Joanna.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesHead football coach of Notre Dame Marcus Freeman he had his wife Joanna Freemanby his side every step of the way on the gridiron.
Marcus, 38, and Joanna met during Marcus’ time at The Ohio State University, where he was a star linebacker from 2004 to 2008. Yahoo! Sportsthe two were introduced by Marcus’s best friend, Calvin Pruittwhile Marcus and Joanna lived in the same Columbus complex.
At the time, Joanna was studying at nearby Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. She then became a news anchor at WBNS-Channel 10 in Columbus before she and Marcus started a family.
Marcus was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears — and signed to the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans later that year — though he never saw an NFL game.
Courtesy of Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman/Instagram Marcus Freeman has a pretty impressive team off the field as well. Freeman, 38, who will become the head football coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, married wife Joanna Freeman in 2010. The couple met during Marcus’ time at The Ohio State University, where Marcus was (…)
His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before stopping at the Kent State University, Purdue University and the University of Cincinnati. Marcus was named head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021.
Along the way, Joanna was there for it all — including the Freemans becoming parents to six children together: son Guilty17, daughter Siena12, son Gina11, son Nico9, daughter Capri7 and a son Rocco6.
For the full timeline of Marcus and Joanna’s relationship, keep reading.
2007
Marcus and Freeman welcomed their first child, a son Guilty. Now Vinny is a junior at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, playing safety for the school’s football team. He is also an accomplished wrestler and took an official visit to Cornell University in August 2024.
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, Sienawhile Marcus was the linebackers coach at Kent State University.
2013
The couple’s second son, Ginawas born when Marcus was the linebackers coach at Purdue University.
By July 2018, Marcus had already followed in his footsteps, both Gino and Vinny. “It’s officially football season for Freeman’s,” Marcus wrote via Instagramshowing the brothers wearing football helmets and posing with their father.
2015
Marcus and Joanna welcomed their son, Nicowhile Marcus was still working at Purdue. He would become the defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati in 2017.
“Happy 4th birthday to our Nico!” Marcus shared via Instagram in 2019, he showed a picture from a birthday party that the then-Cincinnati head coach was at Luke Fickell.
2017
The Freemans welcomed their second daughter, Caprito the world.
In a picture shared by Marcus via Instagramall four of Capri’s siblings smiled as they posed with their baby sister shortly after her birth.
“Welcome to this world and our Capri family!!” Marcus wrote.
2018
Marcus and Joanna’s sixth child, a son Nicowas born shortly before the holidays.
“Merry Christmas from the Freeman Crew,” Marcus said via Instagram in December 2018, he showed his entire family smiling in front of a fireplace full of stockings.
2020
Marcus celebrated the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary by showcasing pictures from their life together.
“Celebrating 10 years of marriage to the love of my life and the glue of the Freeman family,” wrote Marcus via Instagram. “Happy anniversary Jo!”
2021
The entire Freeman family was on hand as Marcus signed 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 are blessed to remain a part of it. To my guys – let’s get this win! Go to Ireland!”
2023
Marcus celebrated Mother’s Day with a picture of Joanna and his mother, Chong Freeman.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there, we celebrate you today!” he shared via Instagram. “I am especially thankful for these two special women – my wife Joanna and my mom!”
2025
Joanna and all six children celebrated on the field with Marcus after Notre Dame defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, which earned them a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
