Marcus Freeman: Wiki| On the view| Son wrestling| Press Conference

Who is Marcus Freeman — Quick Bio

Marcus Freeman (born January 10, 1986) is the head coach of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, and a former linebacker.

• Early life & background: Born in Dayton, Ohio — his father was African American and his mother is South Korean.

• Playing career: He played college football at Ohio State Buckeyes (2006–2008), where he was a two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection.

• Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He also spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans — though he never played a regular-season game due to a heart condition.

• Coaching journey: After retiring from playing, he began coaching — stints include graduate assistant at Ohio State, linebackers coach at Kent State and Purdue, defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, and then defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. On December 3, 2021, he was promoted to Head Coach of Notre Dame. 

• Under his leadership, he earned several accolades including the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, George Munger Award, and Paul “Bear” Bryant Award.

On the View — Personality, Faith & Culture

As head coach of a prestigious program with a rich tradition, Freeman blends competitive drive with humility, faith, and community values:

• Embracing his multiracial roots: Freeman has spoken openly about being both African American and Korean. He says he embraces both sides of his heritage and that it has shaped his identity. 

• Conversion to Catholicism: Not long after becoming head coach, Freeman converted to Catholicism — a move he called a personal and family decision.

• Leadership philosophy: He’s described coaching as “about leading people… serving others.” That mindset helped shape his rise from a graduate assistant to head coach.

• Community & service: Beyond the field, Freeman is involved in charitable work through the Notre Dame community — visiting hospitals, supporting local youth, and promoting service.

Freeman projects a calm confidence, often deflecting attention from himself — especially when public scrutiny touches on race, background, or expectations.

Son Wrestling — Family Spotlight

Marcus Freeman isn’t just a coach — he’s a father of six children. Among them is his oldest son, Vinny Freeman, who is drawing attention for his wrestling talent.

• Vinny’s commitment to wrestling: Vinny committed to wrestle at elite academic and athletic institution Cornell University. His decision marks a proud moment for the Freeman family, demonstrating that athletic excellence runs in multiple sports, not just football.

• Recruitment interest & family dynamics: Despite a challenging recruiting landscape, top programs like Michigan Wolverines reportedly showed interest in Vinny. For Marcus, navigating recruitment as a father — not as a college football coach — is a different kind of challenge.

• Proud father moment: After Vinny completed a successful high-school wrestling season — including reaching 100 career wins — Marcus publicly congratulated him, underscoring that this achievement meant a lot to him personally.

Freeman has spoken about wearing the “dad hat” and the dual role he plays: coach to his players, father to his kids.

Press Conferences & Recent Developments

In recent media interactions and press conferences, a few recurring themes around Marcus Freeman stand out:

• Focus on the team rather than himself: Ahead of major games — including national-championship level ones — Freeman has often deflected questions about his race, legacy, or “firsts.” He insists attention should be on “us” (the team), not him. 

• Balanced priorities — family and football: When asked about his son’s recruitment and choices, Freeman acknowledged the difficulty of being both a high-profile coach and a father making decisions for his child’s future.

• Commitment to community & character: Through philanthropy and outreach via programs connected to Notre Dame, Freeman shows that his vision of success isn’t limited to wins on the field — but also impact off it. 

Why Marcus Freeman Matters Now

• As of 2025, under Freeman’s leadership, Notre Dame reached the national championship game — a historically significant moment, especially considering his background as both African American and Korean American. 

• He represents a modern model of leadership in college sports: blending competitive intensity, family values, faith, and community engagement.

• Through his son’s wrestling, he also expands the narrative beyond football — showing that athletic pursuit and hard work transcend one sport, one generation.