A recent incident involving Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman has drawn attention, as he faces allegations of battery from a high school wrestling coach. The event, which occurred on January 3, reportedly took place after Freeman's son, Vinny, lost a wrestling match. Local authorities are actively investigating the claims, while Notre Dame officials have issued a strong denial, suggesting that video evidence will unequivocally prove Coach Freeman's innocence.
Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman Accused of Battery After Son's Wrestling Match
In a developing story from South Bend, Indiana, on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Notre Dame's prominent head football coach, Marcus Freeman, has been formally accused of battery by Chris Fleeger, an assistant wrestling coach at New Prairie High School. The alleged incident unfolded in a hallway following a high school wrestling meet on January 3, where Freeman's son, Vinny, a senior at Penn High School, had just concluded a match with a loss.
According to reports from the South Bend Tribune, a publication within the USA TODAY Network, Coach Fleeger filed a police report last week detailing the alleged physical contact. The narrative suggests that as Freeman, his son, and Penn's head coach Brad Harper were departing the gymnasium, an exchange of words ensued with Fleeger. This verbal altercation reportedly escalated into a shouting match between Fleeger and Joanna Freeman, Coach Freeman's wife, before law enforcement and school officials intervened to de-escalate the situation and separate the parties involved.
Notre Dame University promptly released a statement addressing the allegations, asserting, "Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach. Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation." The university's statement emphatically denied any physical engagement by Coach Freeman, adding, "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 totally unfounded."
The Mishawaka Police Department has completed its investigation and forwarded the compiled report to the prosecutor’s office. The prosecutor's office will now review the evidence, including the mentioned video footage, to determine if any charges are warranted against Coach Freeman.
This incident highlights the intense emotional environment that can surround competitive sports, even at the high school level. It underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and respect, regardless of the outcome of a game or match. For public figures like Coach Freeman, such accusations, even if later disproven, can cast a shadow, emphasizing the need for transparency and swift resolution through due process. The university's quick defense of its coach, citing video evidence, suggests a confidence in the facts, and the community awaits the prosecutor's decision to clarify the events of that evening.