Notre Dame is responding after the head football coach Marcus Freeman was charged with assault, following an incident that took place on Saturday, January 3 at Mishawaka High School in Indiana.
“Vinny Freeman, the son of head coach Marcus Freeman, 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 stepped in and removed Vinny from the situation. At no time did Coach Freeman engage physically with anyone. We believe the police report, which includes video evidence, completely exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear that these allegations are baseless.”
According to a report from the South Bend Tribunethe alleged incident involved Freeman and Chris Fleegerassistant high school wrestling coach. Both attended the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational: Freeman there to support his son and Fleeger there to train.
Fleeger filed a police report this week, charging Freeman, 40, with battery. Mishawaka police investigated the alleged incident and turned over the completed report to the DA’s office to determine if any charges should be filed.
The alleged incident happened later Vinny Freemanmatch, 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.
The claims of physical contact between Marcus Freeman and Fleeger allegedly occurred when the two walked through the gym door and into the hallway. Police did not disclose the extent of the contact.
Once in the hallway, Fleeger and Marcus’ wife, joannaallegedly engaging 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 Tribunebut they left the premises regardless. Vinny did not attend the podium ceremony in his weight class, one of two athletes not present in all 14 weight classes.
Marcus Freeman
Photo by Justin Berl/Getty ImagesNo charges are expected against Freeman, university sources said he said ESPN on Sunday January 11.
Freeman has been coaching at Notre Dame since 2022, when former head coach Brian Kelly left for LSU.
The Irish he narrowly missed into the College Football Playoff berth this season after making the national championship game last year.
Courtesy of Vinny Freeman/X Despite coaching at Notre Dame after a celebrated playing career at Ohio State, Marcus Freeman could send his son, Vinny, to a major rival. Marcus, 39, and Vinny, 17, welcomed University of Michigan head wrestling coach Sean Bormet to the Freeman residence for a visit on Monday, Feb. 3. (…)
ESPN journalist Jen Lada was with the team during the CFP Selection Show on Dec. 7 when they learned they weren’t included in the bracket and described the mood as “very calm.”
“(Freeman) said he usually has answers or reasons why these things happen,” Lada, 44, said. “He doesn’t have one and that was unusual. He said he didn’t have answers. It doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t add up to why ND isn’t in this playoff field.”
Notre Dame had been ranked in the top 10 of all College Football Playoff rankings during the regular season, but was leapfrogged by the University of Miami in the final rankings. The Irish finished the season in 11th place.
Although Notre Dame was eliminated from the game for Miami, the Hurricanes have won their first three tournament games, including wins against No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Ole Miss, and will play for a national championship against No. 1 Indiana University on Monday, Jan. 19.