Marcus Freeman is dealing with an off-field situation after an allegation of battery was reported following a high school wrestling event in northern Indiana.
The Notre Dame head football coach attended the competition to support his son, but a later confrontation with another coach led to a police report and an ongoing review by prosecutors.
The incident took place on January 3 at Mishawaka High School during the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational. Freeman was there to watch his son, Vinny Freeman, a senior wrestler who has committed to Cornell University. After Vinny lost his match, emotions reportedly escalated as he was leaving the mat area.
According to a police report referenced by the South Bend Tribune, a verbal exchange began between Freeman, his family, and New Prairie High School assistant wrestling coach Chris Fleeger.
The report describes the interaction continuing into a hallway away from the competition floor, where voices were raised, and school officials eventually intervened.
The report notes that “claims of physical contact allegedly occurred between Marcus Freeman and Fleeger,” though it does not detail what that contact involved. Fleeger filed a report with the police at the scene. No arrest was made, and the Freeman family left the event shortly afterward.
The Mishawaka Police Department later confirmed that its investigation has concluded. On January 11, authorities said that the findings were forwarded to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine whether charges will be filed.
Notre Dame Athletics has publicly denied the allegation and challenged the account described in the police report. In a statement to People, the university said the situation began when Freeman’s son was verbally targeted.
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” the statement read.
The university said Freeman and his wife acted to remove their son from the situation rather than escalate it. “Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation,” the statement continued. “At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone.”
Notre Dame also emphasized that the available evidence supports Freeman’s version of events. “We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded,” the statement added.