Marcus Freeman allegations, explained: What to know about Notre Dame football coach accused of battery

Marcus Freeman allegations, explained: What to know about Notre Dame football coach accused of battery originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman was made the subject of a Mishawaka, Indiana police report this week.

An Indiana-based high school wrestling coach accused Freeman of battery related to a quarrel that allegedly took place during Freeman's son's wrestling tournament.

As of Sunday, Jan. 11, it's unclear if Freeman will face charges as a result of his involvement in the alleged incident. Local prosecutors are said to be investigating the high school coach's claims.

Here's what you need to know.

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Marcus Freeman allegations, explained

The incident reportedly took place on Jan. 3 at Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka. A New Prairie High School wrestling assistant coach, Chris Fleeger, filed a police report accusing Freeman of making physical contact with him after Freeman's son lost his wrestling match.

Freeman and his wife, Joanna, were in attendance to support their son during the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational. Fleeger, meanwhile, was barking out orders for New Prairie's wrestling team.

The South Bend Tribune reported that the confrontation took place while Freeman attempted to escort his son off the mat and out of the gym following his defeat to Hanover Central's Israel Sinnott. As Freeman and his son walked towards the exit, they were reportedly "verbally accosted" by Fleeger.

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Fleeger alleges that Freeman made contact with him as he walked through the doorway. The nature of the contact has not been disclosed. While in the hallway outside the gym, Fleeger allegedly participated in a yelling match with Freeman's wife.

The Freeman family wasn't formally asked to leave the premises, according to the South Bend Tribune. But they opted to skip the final ceremony anyway.

As of Sunday, it's unknown if Freeman faces any charges. Fleeger turned the police report over to prosecutors, who are said to be investigating evidence of his claims.

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Notre Dame statement on Marcus Freeman

Notre Dame roundly condemned Fleeger's accusation in a statement released on Sunday. The side claimed that video evidence of the incident "fully exonerates" its fifth-year coach.

“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. “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 totally unfounded.”