Notre Dame Marcus Freeman has denied that he had physical contact with anyone after the football coach was accused of assault in a police report filed following an incident at his son’s high school wrestling match on Jan. 3.
University sources told ESPN on Sunday that no charges are expected against Freeman.
According to the South Bend Tribune, which first reported the news, the alleged incident involved Freeman and New Prairie High School assistant wrestling coach Chris Pfleger. Freeman and his family were at the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational to support his son, Vinnie, a senior who is going to Cornell.
Pfleger filed a police report last week accusing Freeman of assault.
“Vinny Freeman, son of head coach Marcus Freeman, was verbally abused by a local wrestling coach during and after a wrestling match,” Notre Dame said in a statement released Sunday. “Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no time did Coach Freeman have physical contact with anyone. We believe the police report, which includes video evidence, completely exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear that these allegations are completely baseless.”
The Mishawaka Police Department said in a statement Sunday that its investigation was complete and a report was submitted to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office to determine whether charges will be filed.
According to the Tribune, the incident reportedly occurred after Vinnie Freeman lost his match and his father and Penn High School coach Brad Harper was escorting him out of the gym. That’s when Fleeger allegedly began “exchanging words” with the group, according to the newspaper.
According to the Tribune, once in the hallway, Fleger and Freeman’s wife, Joanna, were seen yelling at each other before local law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials separated the two groups.
Freeman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
