ACCBasketballResignation

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey stepping down at the end of the season

Notre Dame announced on Thursday that this season would be the last for head men’s basketball coach Mike Brey, who will step away at the end of the year. Brey has been at the helm since 2000 and is the winningest head coach in program history (481 wins as of this writing).

Here’s what AD Jack Swarbrick said in the release:

“Mike and I have talked often in recent years about a future transition in the program’s leadership and during our most recent conversation we reached the mutual conclusion that the end of this season represented the right time. That Mike is the winningest coach in the 119-year history of Notre Dame men’s basketball speaks to his skill as a teacher of the game. His even greater legacy, however, lies in his achievements as an educator and mentor of the young men who played for him. In that sense, he represents this University as well as any coach I have worked with during my time at Notre Dame. And for that reason, I look forward to working with Mike to define his future role within Notre Dame Athletics.”

Brey turns 64 in March and is one of the longest-tenured head coaches in all of Division I. He has led the Irish to 13 NCAA Tournaments and 5 NITs and coached the program through it’s transition from the Big East to the ACC in 2013.

“It has been a great run for me and our program over the past two decades, but it is time for a new voice to lead this group into the future,” Brey said. “I want to thank our student-athletes, assistant coaches and support staff who have played such a key role in the culture we have created. From Fr. Malloy hiring me, to Fr. Jenkins’ guidance and Jack’s (Swarbrick) friendship, I leave this place with immense gratitude to the University and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I look forward to working with Jack in any role that can help the Notre Dame family.”

The Irish are currently 9-10 (1-7 ACC) and will host Boston College on Saturday in South Bend.

Coaches Database will have our first list of prospective replacement head coaches out over the weekend.

 

credit to Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images for the photo