Notre Dame Football Coach Marcus Freeman Accused of Battery, School Says Claims ‘Unfounded’

Notre Dame is responding after head football coach Marcus Freeman was accused of battery, stemming from an incident that took place on Saturday, January 3, at Mishawaka High School in Indiana.

“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame said in a statement, addressing the allegations. “Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone. We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded.”

According to a report by the South Bend Tribune, the alleged incident involved Freeman and Chris Fleeger, a high school wrestling assistant coach. Both were in attendance at the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational — Freeman there to support his son and Fleeger there coaching.

Fleeger reportedly filed a police report this week, accusing Freeman, 40, of battery. Mishawaka police investigated the alleged incident and turned over the completed report to the prosecutor’s office to determine if any charges should be filed.

The alleged incident occurred after Vinny Freeman’s match, which he lost. Vinny was escorted off the mat and out of the gym, when Fleeger allegedly began exchanging words with the group, which included Marcus Freeman.

Claims of physical contact between Marcus Freeman and Fleeger allegedly occurred as the two walked through the doorway of the gym and into the hallway. Police did not disclose the extent of the contact.

Once in the hallway, Fleeger and Marcus’s wife, Joanna, allegedly engaged in a shouting match before local law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials separated the two groups.

The Freeman family was not officially asked to leave, according to the South Bend Tribune, but they left the premises regardless. Vinny was not in attendance during the podium ceremony for his weight class — one of just two athletes not present across the 14 weight classes.