Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Coach's Reaction To CFP: Meet His Wife Who Left Her TV Career For Him

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team is trending across the internet after being left out of the 2025 College Football Playoffs. The significant development has become one of the most heated and debated controversies of this season, taking over the internet. Despite finishing 10-2 with an impressive late-season run, the Fighting Irish were not included in the final 12-team playoff bracket. While they were omitted, the Miami Hurricanes secured the last spot that has become a topic of mass discussion on social media.

Notre Dame controversy explained: Fighting Irish Team fans criticise CFP snub and Miami's head-to-head edge

From X to Instagram and Reddit, college football fans have been actively discussing this controversy. A large section of people has pointed fingers at the CFP selection committee's fairness and transparency, as well as Notre Dame's independent status. Going into the skin of the controversy, it centres around one critical element, and that is Miami's season-opening win over Notre Dame. For the uninitiated, both teams share the same record, and the CFP selection committee picked the head-to-head wins as the decision factor that gave an edge to Miami.

As soon as the decision was made public, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team's fandom argued online, accusing the CFP selection committee of ignoring broader metrics in its decision. As per the Notre Dame supporters, their team should've been included in the 2025 College Football Playoffs because they were better than Miami in terms of overall consistency, game dominance, and the quality of their wins across the season. According to some reports, the committee members decided to use the head-to-head victory parameter at the last minute because they had previously ranked Notre Dame above Miami.

Notre Dame's head coach, Marcus Freeman, reacts to the CFP snub and the team's controversial decision to decline bowls, and the 2026 playoff berth

The sudden shift in the decision, including Miami instead of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has raised many questions, even among football critics, who argue that the selection process was applied selectively rather than systematically. Another side of the controversy is Notre Dame's independent status; without a championship game to strengthen its portfolio, the team faces significant trouble every season. In protest of the CFP selection committee's decision, Notre Dame declined the bowl invitations.

Amid the controversy, Notre Dame has reportedly found a backdoor to avoid being left out of the 2026 CFP. According to a report, they signed an MOU that guarantees them CFP access if ranked in the top 12 (or top 13 in the 14-team format) starting in the 2026 season. Moving on to Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach, Marcus Freeman's reaction to the snub, he was frustrated and confused, and couldn't make sense of the CFP selection committee's decision. According to several reports, Freeman said he was "speechless" when he informed his team about the unfortunate omission.

Just when Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team supporters thought things couldn't get worse, rumours of their head coach, Marcus Freeman, leaving the team started dominating headlines online. According to several media reports, rumours are circulating in the corridors that Freeman could leave the Fighting Irish Team, as the 39-year-old coach is receiving interest from the NFL. However, in response to the same, Freeman has said that "time to join a conference", signaling his plans to stay. Although he has calmed down the supporters, but people are keeping a close eye on this.

Who is Marcus Freeman's wife, Joanna Freeman? Meet the woman who left her TV reporting career for the Notre Dame coach

Moving on to Marcus Freeman's personal life, he is married to his long-time partner, Joanna Freeman. The couple met while Marcus was playing linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Joanna was studying at the prestigious Otterbein University. After dating for some time, they married on February 20, 2010. Before marrying Marcus, Joanna was working as a television reporter for WBNS-Channel 10 in Columbus, Ohio. After her marriage to Marcus, she sacrificed her career for him and their six children, Vinny Freeman, Gino Freeman, Nico Freeman, Rocco Freeman, Siena Freeman, and Capri Freeman.

Time and again, we have seen Marcus Freeman credit his wife, Joanna Freeman, for always supporting him in his career and making enormous sacrifices for their family. When he began his coaching journey, he appreciated Joanna for understanding the demanding nature of the coaching career. Both of them are still madly in love with each other and never miss a chance to appreciate one another's roles in their lives. We hope they continue to lead a happy married life ahead with their children.

What are your thoughts on Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team's head coach, Marcus Freeman's reaction to the snub from the 2025 College Football Playoffs? Let us know.

Also Read: Meet Jahmyr Gibbs' Girlfriend Nicole Anderson: NFL's Power Couple Famous For Halloween Costumes

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)