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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has been accused of assaulting a high school wrestling coach at his son’s wrestling meet.
On Sunday, The South Bend Tribune reported that police were investigating Freeman for battery after a high school wrestling coach claimed the Notre Dame coach got physical with him following a heated verbal altercation.
The alleged incident involved Freeman and a New Prairie High School wrestling assistant coach, Chris Fleeger.
The altercation allegedly took place after Vinny Freeman’s match against Hanover Central senior Israel Sinnott, which Vinny lost. As Vinny was escorted off the mat and out of the gym by Marcus and Penn head coach Brad Harper, Fleeger allegedly began exchanging words with the group.
As Marcus Freeman walked through the doorway into the hallway, physical contact allegedly occurred between Marcus Freeman and Fleeger, but police did not disclose the extent of the alleged contact. Once in the hallway, Fleeger and Marcus Freeman’s wife, Joanna, engaged in a shouting match before local law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials separated the two groups.
Notre Dame issued a statement following the South Bend Tribune’s report, stating that the allegations against its head coach were false.
“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. 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.”
Notre Dame statement on a story today from the South Bend Tribune about allegations against coach Marcus Freeman pic.twitter.com/TluHwKXtOf
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 11, 2026
The Mishawaka police investigated the matter and have turned over their report to the prosecutor’s office, which will determine if any charges will be filed