Notre Dame timeline of Marcus Freeman and wife Joanna’s relationship

Football coach for Notre Dame Marcus Freeman had his wife, Joanna Freemanby his side for every step of his grid journey.

Marcus, 38, and Joanna, 30, met during Marcus’ time at The Ohio State University, where he was a star linebacker from 2004 to 2008. According Yahoo! Sportthe two were introduced by Marcus’s best friend, Calvin Pruittwhile Marcus and Joanna lived in the same Columbus apartment complex.

At the time, Joanna was studying at nearby Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. She would go on to 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 sign on the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans that same year—though he never saw any NFL action.

His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before retiring at Kent State University, Purdue University and the University of Cincinnati. Marcus was named Notre Dame’s head coach 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, daughter Siena12, Sun Gino11, Sun Nico9, daughter Capri7 and Sun Rocco6.

Keep reading for a full timeline of Marcus and Joanna’s relationship.

2007

Marcus and Freeman welcomed their first child, son Vinny. Now a junior at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, Vinny plays safety for the school’s football team. He is also an accomplished wrestler who 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, Ginowas born while Marcus was the linebackers coach at Purdue University.

By July 2018, Marcus had already followed both Gino and Vinny in his footsteps. “It’s officially football season for Freeman’s,” Marcus wrote via Instagramwhich shows 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, showing a photo from a birthday celebration that included then-Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell.

2017

The Freemans welcomed their second daughter, Capriout into the world.

In a photo shared by Marcus via Instagramall four of Capri’s siblings were smiling and posing with their little sister shortly after her birth.

“Welcome to this world and our family Capri!!” Marcus wrote.

2018

Marcus and Joanna’s sixth baby, son Nicowas born shortly before the holidays.

“Merry Christmas from the Freeman Crew,” Marcus shared via Instagram in December 2018, where he showed his whole family smiling in front of a fireplace full of stockings.

2020

Marcus celebrated the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary with a slideshow of photos 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. “Congratulations on the anniversary Jo!”

2021

The entire Freeman family was in attendance when Marcus signed a contract to become the 30th head coach in Notre Dame history.

“My family and I would like 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 take this win! Stay Irish!”

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, today we celebrate you!” he shared via Instagram. “I am especially grateful to these two special women – my wife, Joanna, and my mother!”

2025

Joanna and all six children celebrated on the field with Marcus after Notre Dame defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, earning them a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.