NEED TO KNOW
- Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman shares six kids with his wife, Joanna Freeman
- Marcus’ oldest daughter Bria was born while he was a linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes
- His eldest son Vinny is a wrestler who has committed to Cornell University
For Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman, being a leader on the field and a father at home is all about the “blend.”
“We always say it’s a blend. It’s the family you have at home. Obviously, our immediate family of my wife and our six kids, but also this football program,” he told Jim Rome in December 2024. “We blend it together, both things are the main thing. You can’t pick one or the other. We have to do this thing together.”
Marcus has been married to his wife, Joanna Freeman, since February 2010, after they met in college. The two have welcomed six kids together, with their eldest son, Vinny, following in his father’s athletic footsteps by committing to wrestle for Cornell University.
In January 2026, an allegation of battery was made against Marcus, following an alleged incident at one of his son’s wrestling matches.
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame Athletics told PEOPLE in a statement. At a Jan. 14 press conference, Marcus spoke out about the allegation, saying, “My family and I have been dragged through the mud unnecessarily with clickbait headlines.”
In the press conference, he also stated that the MPD declined to file charges against him following an investigation.
Here’s everything to know about Marcus Freeman’s seven kids: Bria, Vinny, Siena, Gino, Nico, Capri and Rocco.
Marcus welcomed a daughter in the early aughts
Marcus became a father for the first time when he welcomed his daughter Bria around 2006, according to The Columbia Dispatch. She was born while Marcus was a linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2004 to 2008.
In 2016, the Daytona Daily News shared an image of Marcus holding Bria at Ohio Stadium in 2007, when she was 8 months old.
Marcus and Joanna share six kids together
Marcus and Joanna are parents to six children together: Vinny, Siena, Gino, Nico, Capri and Rocco.
Marcus’ kids have witnessed some big moments in his football coaching career, like when they celebrated on the field after the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won the Sugar Bowl in January 2025.
His eldest son Vinny is a wrestler who is committed to Cornell University
Marcus’ oldest son, Vinny, is a wrestler who has committed to Cornell University.
According to Colts.com, Vinny said his mom put him in a wrestling club when he was “around five years old” because he “was too rough playing soccer with the other kids.”
“My greatest influences have always been my parents because of how hard they work and how much they have sacrificed for our family,” Vinny added.
When explaining his decision to commit to Cornell, Vinny said he believed there he could “grow the most athletically and academically.”
“This university, the coaches, and the other wrestlers really live and emphasize being a family, which is what I love the most,” he shared, per Colts.com.
Marcus passed down his love for football to his sons
The love for football extends past Marcus in the Freeman family.
Vinny played football at Penn High School in Indiana, telling Colts.com he had been around the game “since birth.”
Another one of Marcus’ sons, Gino, has also played some football.
In June 2018, Marcus shared a photo on Instagram of him with Vinny and Gino wearing helmets, writing in the caption, “It’s officially football season for the [Freemans].”
One of his daughters joined him on ESPN’s College GameDay
In March 2025, Marcus stopped by ESPN’s College GameDay, but he wasn’t the only member of his family on-screen.
One of his daughters made a surprise appearance on the broadcast, according to a post on X.
His youngest Rocco was born in 2018
Marcus and Joanna welcomed their youngest, Rocco, in December 2018.
“My little Roc has no idea what he’s in for! Welcome to your family!” Marcus posted on X, sharing a photo of the newborn with his siblings.
Marcus often posts about his family on social media
The coach shares family photos on his Instagram, showing them celebrating various holidays and family trips, including when they went to Walt Disney World in 2021.
“4th & 1 with the game on the line … is NOTHING compared to @waltdisneyworld with 6 kids!!” he captioned a series of images featuring his kids around the park. “We survived the most magical place on earth!”
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