Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman’s sweetest quotes about wife Joanna

Football coach for Notre Dame Marcus Freeman has never shied away from professing his love for his off-field support system: the wife Joanna Freeman.

Marcus and Joanna were married in 2010 after meeting while Marcus was a star linebacker at Ohio State University. Along the way, they have welcomed six children together: son Vinnydaughter Sienason Ginoson Nicodaughter Capri and son Rocco.

Before being named head coach at Notre Dame in December 2021, Marcus’ coaching journey took him all over — from his Ohio State alma mater 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 open about the ups and downs of life as a football wife.

“We don’t have a super romantic love story,” Joanna shared Yahoo! Sport in 2021. “We had many brides and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell fast. We were really young when we met and in many ways we really grew and matured into adults together.”

Keep reading for Marcus’ best quotes about Joanna.

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! Love YOU! .”

May 2019

Marcus has written via Instagram about a hectic Mother’s Day weekend that involved a trip to the emergency room for their daughter, Capri.

“Crazy weekend: our 1-year-old breaks his arm; our oldest wins his wrestling tournament; and most importantly we celebrated Mother’s Day with this selfless woman who is the glue to our family,” Marcus wrote alongside a trio of photos, including one of Capri showing off her new arm sling.

February 2020

To celebrate the couple’s milestone 10-year wedding anniversary, Marcus posted a carousel of photos via Instagram spanning the history of their relationship.

“Celebrating 10 years of being married to the love of my life and the glue of the Freeman family,” Marcus wrote. “Congratulations on the anniversary Jo!”

Joanna commented: “Best day of your life .”

August 2020

Marcus showed photos from a family photoshoot at the beach via Instagram to celebrate Joanna’s birthday.

“We wish the best birthday to Freeman rock!” Marcus wrote. “Thank you for all you do, Mrs. Freeman. We love you.”

May 2021

Marcus praised his wife’s ability to manage the family household in a post to celebrate Mother’s Day.

“I don’t know how you do it but somehow you make it seem like nothing Happy Mother’s Day to the best ever! #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 your support most of the time. You can be my harshest critic, but thank you for just being there. “

May 2023

Freeman also gave a special shoutout to his mother, Chong Freeman, in his 2023 Mother’s Day post.

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there, today we celebrate you!” he wrote via Instagram. “I am especially grateful to these two special women – my wife, Joanna, and my mother!”

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 Instagramshares photos of him with both of them. “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

Under a performance on former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III‘s podcast “Outta Pocket With RGIII,” 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 that I try to mix. There is no balance. There is no balance between being a head coach and being a husband and father. So I try to mix my family with our football family as much as I can. My wife can take two children with her and just let them run around in training.”

Marcus concluded: “I want our players to see me as a father and husband.”