Marcus Freeman got some good news on Monday.
The Notre Dame coach will not have charges filed against him, St. Joseph’s County (Ind.) prosecutors announced on Monday, after he was accused of battery in an incident following his son Vinny’s match at an Indiana high school wrestling tournament.
New Prairie assistant coach Chris Fleeger claimed Freeman gave him a “two-handed push,” told police that he recognized the high-profile coach, believed him to be “rich,” and said he planned to hire an attorney.
Eyewitness accounts — including that of an off-duty police officer — offered a much different version of events, with any body contact being described as a “nudge or a brush,” but not “forceful.”
That assertion is backed up by video, showing the Irish coach attempting to leave the gymnasium, encountering Fleeger for “approximately one second.”
“The video shows that while Mr. Freeman’s right arm is not fully visible, his left hand remained in a pocket during the interaction between the Complainant and Mr. Freeman,” prosecutor Kenneth P. Cotter stated in a release. “The head and body movements of both the Complainant and Mr. Freeman do not support the supposition that any violent physical contact occurred.”
Freeman did acknowledge a verbal exchange with Fleeger, whom he told “to stop talking about his son to other wrestlers,” after one witness told police Fleeger was angry at the Freeman family and encouraging other wrestler’s to harm Freeman’s son.
“The incident occurred at the exit doors to the gymnasium and was captured on video surveillance,” the statement noted. “Numerous witnesses were interviewed by police. That investigation was thereafter tendered to this office. After reviewing the Mishawaka Police Department’s investigation into this incident, the Prosecutor’s Office has determined that no criminal battery occurred. As such, no criminal charges will be filed against Mr. Freeman.
“Generally, this Office does not comment on cases in which no charges are filed. However, because numerous media outlets have commented on the allegations this Office believed it appropriate to release its findings.”
The incident continues an eventful offseason for Freeman, who saw the Irish snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee despite a 10-2 finish. His name was among those mentioned during the NFL’s ongoing coaching carousel, but he has since recommitted to Notre Dame for the 2026 season.
