Marcus Freeman Makes History: On the Field and in Our Hearts
Marcus Freeman after the win at the Sugar Bowl against Georgia (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Marcus Freeman has etched his name in college football history as the first Asian and first Black head coach to lead Notre Dame's football team to the College Football National Championship. The Fighting Irish are gearing up for an exciting showdown against Freeman's alma mater, the Ohio State University, in the College Football Playoff scheduled for this Monday, January 20th. We can hardly wait!
Marcus Freeman grinning at the Orange Bowl (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I’ve said this before: I don’t ever want to take attention away from the team. It is an honor, and I hope all coaches—minorities, Black, Asian, white, it doesn’t matter, great people—continue to get opportunities to lead young men like this. But this ain’t about me. This is about us. We’re going to celebrate what we’ve done because it’s so special.”
Marcus Freeman and his mother Chong attend a state dinner in honor of South Korean President (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Marcus Freeman is not just a coach; he's a game-changer redefining leadership in sports. His commitment to his team goes beyond strategy and play-calling; he's all about instilling a sense of purpose and faith. After converting to Catholicism in 2022, Freeman brought back the historical tradition of holding a pre-game mass at Notre Dame. He believes that the pre-game calm and focus it brings to the players gives them a competitive edge as they hit the field ready to compete.
But Marcus is making waves not only in the record books but also in the hearts of fans everywhere. While he could be considered the most charismatic coach in college football, he is no longer on the market—much to the disappointment of many—because he's happily married his stunning wife, Joanna Freeman.
Marcus and Joanna Freeman watch the Fighting Irish play the Texas Longhorns (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Their love story began in the early 2000s when they crossed paths through a mutual friend. At that time, Marcus was tearing it up as a linebacker for the Ohio State, while Joanna was hitting the books at Otterbein University. Although their journey wasn't a fairytale, Joanna has always maintained that they've grown stronger together both on and off the field.
“We had a lot of breakups and make-ups. We fell hard. We fell fast. We were really young when we met, and in a lot of ways, we really grew and matured into adults together.”
The Freemans posing for a news conference (Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame)
The couple got engaged in 2009 and said, "I do," a year later. Shortly after, they dove into the wonderful world of parenthood. Joanna, a former news reporter, made the big decision to leave her career behind to focus on raising their kids while Marcus took the helm as a coach. He consistently highlights Joanna's unwavering dedication and hard work, showering her with praise in interviews. It's clear that teamwork is key for this winning family!
“To do what I do, you have to have the most unselfish wife in the world. Like, a lot of times she is a single parent. And the other part is that I try to blend.”
The Freemans after the win at the Orange Bowl | Penn State V Notre Dame Vinny (17), Siena (12), Gino (11), Nico (9), Capri (7), and Rocco (6). (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)
As Marcus continues to shine on the field, Joanna is hard at work raising their six beautiful children. Exciting news follows the big game against the Buckeyes: on February 20th, this dynamic couple will celebrate their 15th anniversary! Perhaps the Freemans will be celebrating with a championship ring this year?