Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program are one win away from playing in the national title. The Fighting Irish are set to take on Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The winner will move on to the College Football Playoff national title game, facing either Ohio State or Texas.
For Freeman, it’s been a magical ride at Notre Dame. The 38-year-old former Ohio State linebacker took over the program when Brian Kelly left for LSU three years ago. Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff semifinals in his third season.
Freeman, who is from Ohio, would not be where he is without the support of his wife. The former NFL linebacker, who began his coaching career in 2010 as a graduate assistant at Ohio State, is married to his wife, Joanna Freeman.
Marcus and Joanna began dating in college. They married quickly, tying the knot in 2010. The couple have six children together.
Marcus Freeman’s family.
Notre Dame
Marcus has credited his wife with being the rock of the family as he’s moved up the ladder during his college football coaching career.
The Notre Dame head coach paid tribute to his wife in a special Mother’s Day post in May of 2023.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all of the amazing Moms out there, today we celebrate you! I’m especially grateful for these two special women—my wife, Joanna, and my Mom!” he wrote.
Freeman has said that he believes he has the “most unselfish” wife in the entire world.
“To do what I do, you have to have the most unselfish wife in the world,” he told former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III on his podcast.
Marcus’s wife and kids will surely be watching with a very close and very emotional eye on Thursday night.
Kickoff at the Orange Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. E.T. on Thursday evening.
The College Football Playoff semifinal game will air on ESPN. It’ll be announced by Sean McDonough, Greg McElory, Katie George and Molly McGrath.
The winner will face the winner of Texas vs. Ohio State in the national title game on Monday, Jan. 20.
