At a Glance
- Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman was accused of battery after a January 2026 incident at his son’s wrestling meet
- The allegation followed verbal harassment directed at his son Vinny by a local coach
- No charges were filed after university police investigated the claim
- Freeman called media coverage “unnecessary clickbait headlines” that dragged his family “through the mud”
- Why it matters: The case highlights how coaches’ families can become targets during youth sports events
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman balances leading a major college program with raising six children, but a recent accusation at his son’s wrestling meet thrust his family into an unwelcome spotlight.
The Allegation
On January 14, 2026, Freeman addressed reporters about a battery allegation stemming from an incident at one of his son Vinny’s wrestling matches. The university’s athletic department provided News Of Losangeles with a statement explaining the context.
“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” Notre Dame Athletics said.
Freeman defended his actions and criticized how the situation was portrayed. “My family and I have been dragged through the mud unnecessarily with clickbait headlines,” he told reporters at the press conference.
The investigation concluded without charges. Freeman stated that the MPD (university police department) declined to file charges against him following their investigation.
The Blended Life
Freeman approaches fatherhood and coaching as an integrated experience rather than separate roles. “We always say it’s a blend. It’s the family you have at home. Obviously, our immediate family of my wife and our six kids, but also this football program,” he explained during a December 2024 interview with Jim Rome.
“We blend it together, both things are the main thing. You can’t pick one or the other. We have to do this thing together,” Freeman added.
Six Kids, One Marriage
Marcus and Joanna Freeman have built their large family since meeting in college and marrying in February 2010. Their children range from college-aged to elementary school.
| Child | Born | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Bria | ~2006 | Marcus’ first child, born during his Ohio State playing days |
| Vinny | – | Wrestler committed to Cornell University |
| Siena | – | – |
| Gino | – | Plays football |
| Nico | – | – |
| Capri | – | Appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay |
| Rocco | December 2018 | Youngest child |
Vinny’s Wrestling Journey
Freeman’s oldest son has carved his own athletic path in wrestling rather than football. Vinny committed to wrestle for Cornell University, choosing the Ivy League program for both athletic and academic growth.
“This university, the coaches, and the other wrestlers really live and emphasize being a family, which is what I love the most,” Vinny told Colts.com about his college choice.
His mother introduced him to wrestling at age five because he was “too rough playing soccer with the other kids,” according to the same interview. Vinny credits both parents as his greatest influences “because of how hard they work and how much they have sacrificed for our family.”
Football Runs in the Family
While Vinny chose wrestling, football remains part of the Freeman household. Vinny played football at Penn High School in Indiana, telling Colts.com he’d been around the game “since birth.”
Gino, another Freeman son, also plays football. Marcus captured their shared love for the sport in a June 2018 Instagram post showing him with Vinny and Gino wearing helmets. “It’s officially football season for the [Freemans],” he wrote.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
The Freeman children have experienced significant moments in their father’s career firsthand. After Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl victory in January 2025, the kids joined their father on the field to celebrate the achievement.
In March 2025, one of Marcus’ daughters made a surprise appearance alongside him during ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast, as noted in a post on X.
Life Beyond Football
The family maintains an active presence on social media, sharing trips and milestones. A 2021 visit to Walt Disney World prompted Marcus to post: “4th & 1 with the game on the line … is NOTHING compared to @waltdisneyworld with 6 kids!! We survived the most magical place on earth!”
When Rocco, the youngest, arrived in December 2018, Marcus welcomed him with a post reading: “My little Roc has no idea what he’s in for! Welcome to your family!”
Key Takeaways
- Marcus Freeman faces the challenge of raising six children while managing a major college football program
- The January 2026 allegation at Vinny’s wrestling meet resulted in no charges but generated unwanted attention
- The Freeman children have grown up around sports, with Vinny pursuing wrestling at Cornell
- The family maintains strong bonds through both football achievements and everyday experiences
