Security footage of Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman’s incident with wrestling coach revealed

The Mishawaka police department (Ind.) has released security camera footage of the alleged Jan. 3 incident between Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman and New Prairie assistant coach Chris Fleeger while at an Indiana high school wrestling tournament.

The 50-second video, shared by WSBT 22, shows a grainy view of the altercation near the gymnasium exit doors.

Freeman, alleged to be wearing a jacket and gray hoodie, and Fleeger purportedly can be seen talking at the 14-second mark, but it’s unclear what exactly was said as the video does not have audio.

Fleeger filed a police report accusing Freeman — whose son, Vinny, was wrestling in the event — of battery — and prosecutors announced Monday that Freeman will not be charged following a review of the Mishawaka PD’s investigation.

“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,” the St. Joseph County prosecutor stated.

The incident, which was first reported by the South Bend Tribune, allegeldy took place after Vinny, who is a Penn High School senior, lost a match at Mishawaka High School.

According to a police report cited by The Tribune, once Freeman and Fleeger took things out of the gym and into the hallway, Freeman’s wife, Joanna, engaged in a shouting match with Fleeger before local law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials separated the two groups. 

“The Complainant admitted to detectives that he had previously tried to recruit Mr. Freeman’s son to wrestle at another high school and join the Complainant’s wrestling club. The Freeman family had declined to do so,” prosecutors said.

The prosecutor’s report also states a witness informed detectives that the Fleeger had voiced his anger at the Freeman family, and was encouraging other wrestlers to harm Freeman’s son. 

Fleeger has denied making those threats.

Notre Dame backed Freeman in a separate statement, calling the accusations “unfounded.”

“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame’s statement read. “Marcus and [his wife] 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 unfounded.”