Mike Brey will retire as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball coach after this season.
Tom Nole of NDInsider reported the stunning news Thursday. “Source tells South Bend Tribune that Notre Dame coach Mike Brey will retire at end of season,” he tweeted. “Brey plans to tell team after practice today. The winningest coach in program history will have spent last 23 seasons at Notre Dame.”
BREAKING: Source tells South Bend Tribune that #NotreDame coach Mike Brey will retire at end of season.
Brey plans to tell team after practice today.
The winningest coach in program history will have spent last 23 seasons at Notre Dame.
Story coming soon.
— Tom Noie (@tnoieNDI) January 19, 2023
Brey is one of the most outstanding coaches in Notre Dame’s illustrious history. Not just in men’s basketball, either. Through his 23rd season, Brey compiled a record of 481-267, a win percentage of 64.3 percent. In conference play, Brey is 223-169 with one conference championship: His first season with Notre Dame in the Big East in 2000-01.
Brey’s teams made the NCAA Tournament 13 times, most recently last season. They won at least one game nine times and made the second week three times. Famously, Brey and the Irish gave then-unbeaten Kentucky all that they could handle in the 2015 East Regional Final.
It goes without saying that Mike Brey is, and has been, one of the best coaches in college basketball this century. He began his career with the Delaware Blue Hens before going to Notre Dame in 2000. He never looked back after that and now he will go out as Notre Dame’s winningest coach ever.
The college basketball world reacted to the news of Brey’s retirement after it broke.
John Fanta waxed poetic. “A four-time conference coach of the year. 2011 National Coach of the Year. He’s been Notre Dame basketball for over two decades. Elite Eights in 2015 and 2016. In recent years, the Irish have fallen off, but Mike Brey’s had quite a ride in South Bend. Another retirement in CBB,” Fanta tweeted.
A four-time conference coach of the year. 2011 National Coach of the Year. He’s been Notre Dame basketball for over two decades. Elite Eights in 2015 and 2016.
In recent years, the Irish have fallen off, but Mike Brey’s had quite a ride in South Bend. Another retirement in CBB: https://t.co/l6nUgdnr2T
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) January 19, 2023
Kentucky Sports Radio’s Adam Luckett praised Brey as well and mentioned that famed 2015 team.
Never could get to a Final Four but Mike Brey had a great run in South Bend. That 2015 team was so good. https://t.co/RjsLjbmuDD
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) January 19, 2023
Michael Rothstein, who reported on Brey and the Irish for several seasons, praised Brey’s helpfulness over the years
Covered Mike Brey for four seasons.
Always helpful to every member of the media and did something that's hard to do at Notre Dame.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) January 19, 2023
Jessica Smetana provided a hilarious visual remembrance of Brey.
I will remember you pic.twitter.com/TGd9W4h5Bp
— Jessica Smetana (@jessica_smetana) January 19, 2023
And college hoops insider Jeff Goodman knows exactly where you’ll find Mike Brey next year.
Mike Brey is 63 and had terrific success at Notre Dame. Went to back-to-back Elite Eight’s in 2015 & 2016.
Irish had struggled last few years and are 1-7 in ACC this year despite bringing back most of team from a year ago.
Brey will be found on the beach in Delaware next year. https://t.co/gCJ2ckqFGb
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 19, 2023
[Tom Nole]
