Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Wednesday that his family was "dragged through the mud" after a Jan. 3 incident at his son's high school wrestling match was made public and, in his view, sensationalized.
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Speaking at a press conference, Freeman thanked the university for standing by him after he was accused of battery by a New Prairie assistant coach during a tournament at Mishawaka High School. Local authorities later declined to file charges.
"The reality is I behaved in a respectful and professional manner while protecting my family, and that should have been the only headline," Freeman said. "Journalistic integrity should matter. Accuracy and fairness should matter."
Freeman acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with being a public figure but said that line should stop with children.
"I know I'm a public figure," he said. "That scrutiny should not extend to my children or any other child of a public figure."
According to a report from the St. Joseph County prosecutor's office, a witness told investigators that the assistant coach had directed anger toward the Freeman family and encouraged other wrestlers to harm Freeman's son, Vinny, a senior at Penn High School.
The assistant coach later filed a police report accusing Freeman of battery. Video of the incident was reviewed as part of the investigation.
On Monday, prosecutors announced Freeman would not be charged.
The situation quickly drew national attention. Freeman praised journalists who waited for facts before reporting, then voiced frustration with one local outlet.
"Because they chose not to do so, my family and I were dragged through the mud with clickbait headlines," he said.
He also reiterated his appreciation for Notre Dame, which publicly supported him from the outset and called the accusations unfounded.
"At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone," the university said in its statement.
