Update
Marcus Freeman, Joanna Freeman.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesHead football coach of Notre Dame Marcus Freeman he never shied away from 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 linebacker at The Ohio State University. Along the way, they welcomed six children together: a son Guiltydaughter Sienason Ginason Nicodaughter Capri and son Rocco.
Before being named head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, Marcus’ entire coaching journey took him 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 candid about the highs and lows of life as a football wife.
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 […]
“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 really young when we met, and in many ways we really grew up and matured together.”
For Marcus’ 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 children later, she still decided to call herself Mrs. Freeman.” Happy anniversary,” Marcus captioned 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 on a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that included a trip to the emergency room for their daughter Capri.
“Crazy weekend: our one-year-old breaks her arm; our oldest wins his wrestling tournament; and most importantly, we celebrated Mother’s Day with this selfless woman who is the glue of our family,” Marcus wrote alongside a trio of photos, including one of Capri showing off her new strap.
February 2020
To celebrate the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary, Marcus posted a photo gallery via Instagram including the history of their relationship.
“Celebrating 10 years of marriage to the love of my life and the glue of the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Happy Anniversary Jo!”
Joanna commented: “Best day of your life .”
August 2020
Marcus showed off photos from a family photo shoot on the beach via Instagram to commemorate Joanne’s birthday.
“Happy Birthday to Freeman Rock!” Marcus wrote. “Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Freeman. We love you.”
May 2021
In a post to celebrate Mother’s Day, Marcus gushed about his wife’s ability to run the family household.
“I don’t know how you do it, but somehow you feel like raising 6 kids alone is nothing Happy Mother’s Day! #YouTheBest #YouTheBestEver,” he wrote via Instagram.
December 2021
During his introductory press conference after being named head coach at Notre Dame, Marcus took time to mention Joanna as he concluded his remarks.
“Finally, there are a few thanks I’d like to give,” Marcus said. “I want to start with my wife, Joanna. My wife, my partner, thank you for your selflessness. Thank you for always being there and being supportive most of the time. You may be my harshest critic, but thank you for being there.”
May 2023
Freeman also had a message for his mother Chong Freeman in his Mother’s Day 2023 post.
“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 mom!”
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 Instagramsharing his photos with both. “They have 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 appearance to the former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin IIIMarcus called Joanna “the most selfless wife in the world” on the “Outta Pocket With RGIII” podcast.
“She’s a parent herself a lot of times,” Marcus continued. “And the other part is I’m trying to blend in. There is no balance. Being a head coach and being a husband and father doesn’t balance. So I try to connect my family with our soccer family as much as possible. My wife can bring two kids and let them run in training.’
Marcus concluded, “I want our players to see me as a father and a husband.”
