US EditionNotre Dame Responds to Battery Accusation Against Football Coach, Report Says
Mishawaka police submitted a battery investigation report involving Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman after an incident at a high school wrestling meet; charges are pending prosecutor review.
- On Jan. 11, 2026, Mishawaka Police Department completed an investigation into an alleged battery involving Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame head football coach, from the Jan. 3 Al Smith Wrestling Invitational at Mishawaka High School and submitted the report to the local prosecutor's office.
- After Vinny Freeman's loss, the dispute began when Marcus Freeman and Brad Harper escorted him off the mat and Chris Fleeger allegedly exchanged words in the Mishawaka High School hallway.
- In a statement, Notre Dame said `Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman's son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,' and that the police report/video evidence fully exonerates Freeman, calling the accusation 'totally unfounded.'
- As of Jan. 11, no charges have been filed and there is no set timetable for a prosecutorial decision, while university sources told ESPN no charges are expected against Marcus Freeman.
- Freeman, a 43-12 coach, is a high-profile figure who restructured his contract into the top tier and has attracted NFL interest despite his December 29 post about run it back.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman involved in altercation, police report filed
Police report filed against Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman MISHAWAKA, Ind. (WISH) – The University of Notre Dame denies head football coach Marcus Freeman was involved in a physical fight during an incident at his son’s wrestling match. When News 8 reached out to the university about a police report stemming from a Jan. 3 altercation involving Freeman and a New Prairie High School wrestling coach, the Notre Dame Athletics Department s…
Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Accused of Battery, School Says Claims ‘Unfounded’
Notre Dame is responding after head football coach Marcus Freeman was accused of battery, stemming from an incident that took place on Saturday, January 3, at Mishawaka High School in Indiana. “Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, 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 intervened and removed Vinny fro…
Staten Island Advance
Notre Dame responds to battery accusation against football coach, report says
The University of Notre Dame has denied that head football coach Marcus Freeman made physical contact with anyone during an altercation at a high school wrestling match, according to a report from the South Bend Tribune.
High school coach accuses Notre Dame football's Marcus Freeman of battery
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