Wrestling coach accuses Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman of battery

Notre Dame Athletics has denied allegations of physical contact involving head football coach Marcus Freeman and a New Prairie High School wrestling coach. The incident reportedly occurred on January 3 at Mishawaka High School during the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational, where Freeman was present to support his son, Vinny, a Penn High School senior. A police report was filed by Chris Fleeger, a New Prairie assistant coach, accusing Freeman of battery.

The South Bend Tribune confirmed that the Mishawaka Police Department has completed an investigation and forwarded the report to the prosecutor’s office for a decision on potential charges. Notre Dame Athletics stated that video evidence supports Freeman's claim of no physical engagement, suggesting the accusations are unfounded.

The altercation allegedly followed Vinny Freeman’s wrestling match, which he lost, leading to a verbal exchange between Fleeger and the Freemans. As the situation escalated, Marcus Freeman and his wife, Joanna, became involved in a shouting match with Fleeger. Law enforcement and school officials intervened