Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman had his wife, Joanna Freemanby his side every step of his journey.

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

At the time, Joanna was studying at nearby Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Before she and Marcus started a family together, she became a news reporter at WBNS-Channel 10 in Columbus.

Marcus was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears – and signed with the practice squads of the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans later that year – although he never saw an NFL game.

His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before stints 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 was there for everything – including the Freemans becoming parents to six children together: Son Vinny17, daughter Siena12, son Gino11, son Nico9, daughter capri7, and son Rocco6.

Read on for a full timeline of Marcus and Joanna’s relationship.

2007

Marcus and Freeman welcomed their first child, their son Vinny. Now Vinny is a junior at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, and plays safety for the school’s football team. He is also an accomplished wrestler and is taking an official visit to Cornell University in August 2024.

2010

The couple married just months before Freeman’s coaching career 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 when Marcus was the linebackers coach at Purdue University.

In July 2018, both Gino and Vinny followed in Marcus’s footsteps. “It’s officially football season for the Freeman’s,” Marcus posted on Instagram, showing the brothers wearing football helmets and posing with their dad.

2015

Marcus and Joanna welcomed their son, Nicowhile Marcus was still working at Purdue. In 2017, he became the defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati.

“Happy 4th birthday to our Nico!” Marcus shared a picture via Instagram in 2019 from a birthday party that was also attended by the then head coach of Cincinnati Luke Fickell.

2017

The Freemans welcomed their second daughter, capriinto the world.

In a picture Marcus shared via Instagram, all four of Capri’s siblings were smiling and posing shortly after their little sister was born.

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

2018

Marcus and Joanna’s sixth baby, son NicoShe was born just before the holidays.

“Merry Christmas from the Freeman Crew,” Marcus shared on Instagram in December 2018, showing his entire family smiling in front of a fireplace full of stockings.

2020

Marcus celebrated the couple’s 10th wedding anniversary with a slideshow of pictures from their life together.

“I celebrate the 10th anniversary of my marriage with the love of my life and the unity of the Freeman family.” Marcus wrote via Instagram. “Happy anniversary, Jo!”

2021

The entire Freeman family was in attendance as Marcus signed 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 feel blessed to remain a part of it. To my boys – let’s get this win! Go 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 mothers out there, today we celebrate you!” he shared via Instagram. “I am especially grateful for these two special women – my wife Joanna and my mother!”

2025

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