Marcus Freeman, Joanna Freeman.
Michael Reeves/Getty ImagesHead football coach at Notre Dame Marcus Freeman has never been shy about professing his love for his off-field support system: his wife Joanna Freeman.
Marcus and Joanna married in 2010 after meeting while Marcus was a star at Ohio State University. Along the way, they welcomed six children together: a son Guiltydaughter Siennason Ginoson Nicodaughter Capri and a son Rocco.
Before being named head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, Marcus’ coaching journey took him everywhere from his alma mater at 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 candid about the highs and lows of life as a football wife.
Courtesy of Marcus Freeman/Instagram Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has a pretty impressive lineup off the field as well. 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 was (…)
“We don’t have a super romantic love story,” Joanna said Yahoo! Sports in 2021 “We had a lot of breakups and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell fast. We were very young when we met, and in many ways we really grew and matured into adults together.”
For Marcus’ best quotes about Joanna, keep reading.
February 2019
Marcus celebrated the couple’s 9th anniversary with a post via Instagram.
“9 years and 6 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 one bit! 🤣🤷🏻♀️ I love YOU! 💋.”
May 2019
Marcus posted via Instagram for a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that included a trip to the emergency room for their daughter Capri.
“Crazy weekend: our one-year-old broke his arm; our oldest wins the wrestling tournament; and most importantly we celebrated Mother’s Day with this selfless woman who is the glue to our family,” Marcus wrote along with three 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 covering the history of their relationship.
“Celebrating 10 years of marriage to the love of my life and the glue to the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Happy Anniversary Joe!”
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 Freeman the Happiest Rock Birthday!” 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 you somehow make raising 6 kids on your own seem like nothing 🇮🇹 💃🏻🤷🏾♂️Happy Mother’s Day to the best day ever!” #YouTheBest #YouTheBestEver,” he wrote via Instagram.
December 2021
During his introductory press conference after being named Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus took time to mention Joanna as he wrapped up his remarks.
“Finally, there are a few thanks I want to say,” Marcus said. “I want to start with my wife Joanna. My husband, my partner, thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for always being there and for your support most of the time. You may be my harshest critic, but thank you for just being there.”
May 2023
Freeman also congratulated her mother, Chong Freeman, in her post for Mother’s Day 2023.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms, 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 that both Joanna and his mother celebrate Mother’s Day in 2024.
“I am so blessed to have these two amazing women in my life,” Marcus wrote via Instagramsharing pictures of him with both of them. “They impacted our family in so many ways with their selflessness and unconditional love. Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there!”
December 2024
During the appearance of a former NFL linebacker Robert Griffin IIIOn the Outta Pocket With RGIII podcast, Marcus called Joanna “the most selfless wife in the world.”
“A lot of times she’s a single parent,” Marcus continued. “And the other part is I’m trying to blend in. No balance. There is no balance between being a head coach and being a husband and father. So I try to blend my family into our football family as much as I can. My wife can bring two kids and just let them run around in practice.
Marcus concluded: “I want our players to see me as a father and a husband.”
