A ‘battery’ lawsuit was filed against Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stemming from an incident at a high school. Reports reveal Chris Fleeger, the high school wrestling coach, had filed the case against Freeman.

Here’s everything you need to know about who he is and how he is involved in the controversial Marcus Freeman case.

Who is Chris Fleeger?

Chris Fleeger is a New Prairie High School wrestling assistant coach. He is a Purdue alum, where he won numerous awards and accolades as an amateur wrestler and as a coach at the high school and collegiate levels. Fleeger is a Trout Run, Pennsylvania, native.

He spent two seasons with Purdue and still owns the second-best winning percentage in the school’s history, with .905, with a record of 86-9. He also owns spots on the career record lists for falls and back points. His success on the mat is not limited to his time as a Boilermaker, as Fleeger had several impressive showings on the international scene.

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Chris Fleeger established the center five years ago at the corner of Michigan Street (U.S. 20) and Timothy Road. He has been an NAIA National Coach of the Year at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year twice.

He has also won the Pennsylvania state championship twice, the Fargo Nationals championship five times, finished in third place at the University World Championship, finished in third place at the Pan-Am Games, been a three-time All-American at Purdue University, been a Big Ten champion, and trained at the U.S. Olympic Center.

How is Chris Fleeger involved in the Marcus Freeman case?

Both Chris Fleeger and Marcus Freeman were at the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational on January 3rd at Mishawaka High School. Freeman was supporting his son Vinny, who’s in his senior year at Penn High School. On the other hand, Fleeger is in a coaching capacity with the Cougars.

Reports reveal that the altercation allegedly took place after Vinny Freeman lost to Israel Sinnott, a Hanover Central senior. While Vinny was escorted off the mat and out of the gym by Marcus and Penn coach Brad Harper, Fleeger allegedly exchanged words with the group.

Reports reveal Marcus Freeman made physical contact with Fleeger by allegedly walking through the doorway into the hallway. However, there is no information disclosed on how extensive the alleged contact was. This led to Freeman’s wife, Joana, shouting at Fleeger before local law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials separated them.

Following the incident, Fleeger filed a police complaint against Freeman for a criminal offense. The Mishawaka police have reportedly investigated and submitted the report to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision.

Notre Dame denied allegations against Marcus Freeman

After the report went viral, Notre Dame released an official statement defending Freeman and his family in the incident.

“Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,” wrote Notre Dame Athletics. “Marcus and 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 totally unfounded.”

However, how the case unfolds is yet to be seen.