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Notre Dame Coach Freeman Cleared of Battery Charges

1/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will not face battery charges after the incident at his son Vinny's high school wrestling match on January 3.
The St. Joseph's County Prosecutor's Office found no criminal battery after reviewing video evidence and witness statements.
Video footage showed Freeman's left hand remained in his pocket, contradicting Chris Fleeger's claims.
Freeman is set to return for the 2026 season.

History

Historical Context

In 2023, the St. Joseph's County Prosecutor's Office decided not to charge Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman after an investigation into an incident at a wrestling match revealed no wrongdoing. This scrutiny echoes the 2015 Ray Rice case, which underscored the importance of accountability for public figures in sports, potentially shaping future legal standards for coaches and athletes.

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Story summary

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman will not face battery charges after the incident at his son Vinny's high school wrestling match on January 3.
The St. Joseph's County Prosecutor's Office found no criminal battery after reviewing video evidence and witness statements.
Video footage showed Freeman's left hand remained in his pocket, contradicting Chris Fleeger's claims.
Freeman is set to return for the 2026 season.

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