Marcus Freeman, a former Ohio State linebacker and current American football head coach at, Notre Dame(ND), is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Marcus Freeman was born on January 10, 1986, in Dayton Ohio, United States. His mother gave him birth at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center which is based in Ohio state.
From the news report on Dec 2, 2021, he has been hired as Head Coach for Notre Dame replacing the former head coach Brian Kelly who also has been appointed as a new coach for the Louisiana State University football team.
Freeman is at the age of 35 and currently living in the United States with his wife and six children. His father’s name is Michael Freeman and his mother’s name is Chong Freeman. Marcus’s parents were working in the Korean Air Force, South Korea.
Following his appointment as Notre Dame’s head coach, his father replied to the media. Despite being unable to play due to a heart condition, his father Michael Freeman stated his son informed him he wanted to be a part of the program and that he thought he would be interested in being an AD. Marcus answered affirmatively when he was asked if he liked the offer.
He had played for different teams in 2009 that include Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans. Moreover, he played for Ohio State and was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
In 2024, Marcus Freeman led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team on a victorious journey filled with remarkable achievements and memorable moments. As the head coach, Freeman brought a fresh perspective, strong leadership, and unwavering determination to the program, guiding his players to success both on and off the field.
Under Freeman’s guidance, the Fighting Irish displayed exceptional skill, teamwork, and resilience throughout the season. They faced formidable opponents with confidence and determination, showcasing their talent and determination in every game.
One of the standout moments of the season came when the Fighting Irish secured a crucial victory against their longtime rival, the USC Trojans, in a thrilling showdown that captivated fans and pundits alike. The team’s triumph over USC was a testament to their hard work, preparation, and belief in Freeman’s coaching philosophy.
Throughout the season, Freeman emphasized the importance of discipline, character, and unity, instilling these values in his players both on and off the field. His leadership style resonated with the team, fostering a culture of excellence and camaraderie that propelled the Fighting Irish to new heights of success.
Off the field, Freeman’s impact extended beyond football, as he prioritized the academic success and personal development of his players. He emphasized the importance of education, character development, and community involvement, empowering his players to excel in all aspects of their lives.
As the season progressed, Freeman’s coaching prowess and strategic acumen were on full display, as he masterfully navigated challenges and setbacks to keep the Fighting Irish focused and motivated. His ability to adapt and innovate contributed to the team’s continued success and solidified his reputation as one of college football’s brightest coaching talents.
In the end, Freeman’s inaugural season as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish was nothing short of spectacular. His leadership, passion, and dedication inspired his players to achieve greatness, culminating in a season filled with unforgettable moments and historic victories. As Freeman looks ahead to the future, the Fighting Irish faithful can rest assured that their beloved team is in capable hands, poised for even greater success under his guidance.
Quick Facts
Nickname | Marcus |
Born on | January 10th, 1986 |
Birthplace | Dayton Ohio, United States |
Age | 35( 2021) |
Nationality | American |
Known As | Norte Dame Coach |
Profession | Football Player, Head Coach |
Education | Wayne High School (Ohio) |
Graduated As | Ohio State University |
Active Year | 2009- Present |
Father Name | Michael Freeman |
Mother Name | Chong Freeman |
Marital Status | Married |
Wife | Joanna Freeman |
Children | 6 ( Six) |
Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
Networth | $4 Million ( 2024 ) |
Table of Contents
Marcus Freeman Early Life & NFL Career
- Marcus Freeman was born on January 10th, 1986 in Dayton Ohio, United States. He is at the age of 38 in 2024.
- He completed his schooling at Wayne High School which is situated in Ohio State and later he completed his graduation from Ohio State University. In 2011, he graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
- Marcus has an elder brother, Michael Jr., who was also a musician. His older brother has been interested in football at his university in recent years.
- He has been a member of the inter-school football team since he was in elementary school. Moreover, he has appeared as a player for Ohio State University.
- He had a terrific collegiate career at Ohio State University. He had three forced fumbles, 127 tackles, and 29 tackles behind the line of scrimmage during his senior season. He was also awarded ith two four-year starts.
- Marcus made a total of 264 tackles between 2004 and 2007, including 125 assisted and 139 solo tackles. He competed in a 4×100 meter relay that included field tacking and shot throwing.
- In 2009, he played for Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans as Linebackers. He was a megastar for the football teams.
- He was also drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, however, he was released on September 4, 2009.
- He joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad after being released. Freeman was merely a member of the practice squad until being discharged in October.
- However, on November 4th, 2009, the Houston Texans approached him about joining the club, and he eventually signed with them.
- Throughout his career as an athlete, his performance leads him to rank in the top 20 tacklers in American Football history.
- Marcus had no plans for retirement, but his circumstances forced him to end his career as a footballer. He had to go to the hospital because of his respiratory troubles. He announced his retirement on May 1, 2010, due to an enlarged cardiac condition.
Coaching Career
Marcus began his coaching career in 2010 after he retired as a player due to his heart condition. He joined as an assistant coach for Ohio State in 2010.
- After leaving Ohio State, he was hired as an assistant coach at Kent State in 2011. During his time at Kent State, his Linebackers playing style was valuable for the Kent State football team
- Marcus spent one year as a Kent State assistant coach from 2011 to 2012 and moved to other football teams.
- From 2013- 2016, he becomes Linebacker Coach for the Purdue Boilermakers football team representing Purdue University.
- He also was appointed as co-defensive coordinator in the 2016 season where he coached renowned players like Danny Ezechukwu and Ja’Whaun Bentley, which later result in the best performance of the season.
- After three years as a coach at Purdue, he joined Cincinnati as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach from 2017 to 2020, where he led his Cincinnati squad as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach.
- The Bearcats’ defense became one of the finest in the American Athletic Conference under Freeman’s leadership. During 2018, in AAC, Bearcats finished second in defense for the second year in a row and also become top three in rushing and defense.
- He was offered the position of linebackers coach by many football teams at the end of the 2020 season, but he declined all of them.
- Football clubs such as Ohio State and the Tennessee Titans have approached him with offers to coach. Freeman’s career took off in Cincinnati, where he was hired as defensive coordinator by Luke Fickell, his old defensive coach at Ohio State.
He won the award as Defensive Coordinator of the Year by 247Sports at the end of the 2020 season.
Marcus Freeman Notre Dame
- Marcus Freeman was named 30th Head Coach of Notre Dame on Dec 3, 2021.
- After the official announcement of his joining, he said that it was an honor to be the head coach of the Notre Dame football team and that he owed a particular thanks to his father and athletic director Jack for all of the support he has had so far.
- Furthermore, he added Notre Dame is a fantastic site, and he is looking forward to working with the top players and team personnel to achieve a national championship.
- According to an interview with University President Rev John, Freeman has demonstrated that he is both an accomplished football coach and a person of the highest integrity who can lead his squad on the field. He also added “I’m excited to have him as our new head football coach, as well as his wife, Joanna, and their six lovely children, as members of the Notre Dame family.”
- Marcus states that his real mentor was his college football coach Jim Tressel, Darrel Hazel, and Luke Fickell which was his positional coach in the college football team.
a player’s coach@Marcus_Freeman1 | #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/pf9E1OygA8
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 3, 2021
Marcus Freeman Wife
- Marcus Freeman’s wife’s name is Joanna Freeman. They both married back in 2010 and had six children where three of them are daughters and three are sons.
- Rocco Freeman, Vinny Freeman, Capri Freeman, Gino Freeman, Siena Freeman, and Nico Freeman are the names of their children.
- Marcus and Joanna met during their undergraduate years and began dating. After a year of dating, they were eventually able to marry each other.
- Marcus and Joanna grew up together, and their age gap isn’t significant. Marcus is 35 years old, while Joanna is 32 years old.
- There is not much information available about her wife, however, Marcus is most active in social media and posts pictures of his wife and children.
- Despite the fact that her husband, Marcus, is a well-known figure, his net worth is estimated at around $1 million.
Also Read: Successful NFL Player Adrian Peterson Wife & Stats
Marcus Freeman Wife Instagram
Marcus Freeman Twitter
Thank you to Jack and Father John for the incredible opportunity to lead these Notre Dame men.
— Marcus Freeman (@Marcus_Freeman1) December 5, 2021
And welcome to Twitter, @NotreDameAD! https://t.co/IoU0eehZLn
People Also Asked For
Where did Marcus Freeman go to college?
Marcus Freeman completed his schooling at Wayne High School and graduated from Ohio State University in 2011.
How old is Marcus Freeman?
Marcus Freeman was born on January 10, 1986. His age is 35 years old in 2021.
Who is Marcus Freeman Notre Dame?
Marcus is the head coach of Notre Dame appointed on Dec 3, 2021.
Did Marcus Freeman play in NFL?
Yes, Marcus played as a Linebacker for different football teams like Ohio State, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans from 2007 to 2010.
Who is Marcus Freeman married to?
Marcus married his girlfriend Joanna after being in a relationship for 2 years. They both married in February month 2010.
Is Marcus Freeman Catholic?
Marcus Freeman’s religious affiliation is unknown since the new Fighting Irish head coach has kept his faith and religious beliefs private. But some news portals suggested that his religion is Christianity.
Read More: Ryan Day Wife, Son & Net Worth