Quick-hitters: Mike Brey on decision to step down as Notre Dame head coach and what’s next
Mike Brey’s 23 years as Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach had apparently not taken him to every corner of campus. Friday brought a first: a press conference in the Notre Dame Stadium media room.
The occasion warranted larger accommodations than a scrum outside the Rolfs Hall practice court, though. Brey is stepping down from his post after the season, the school announced Thursday. He spoke with reporters Friday morning to discuss the move and more. Here are some highlights.
On the decision to step down
“Moving on to the next chapter is something I’ve thought about for a little bit. I actually thought about it coming back on the plane from [the 2022 NCAA Tournament in] San Diego. That may have been a good time. But we had these seniors coming back, had a heck of a young class coming in. I said, ‘Let’s go back to work.’
“About a month ago, [deputy athletics director] Jim [Fraleigh] and I spoke a little bit and I said, ‘Jim, I think it’s time for a new voice at Notre Dame. I’ve had 23 years. It’s unbelievable. It has been amazing. But I firmly believe down the road, it needs to be someone else.’
“Let’s really, seriously talk about that. Jack [Swarbrick] and I talked about it this last week and felt now was the time to do that. I fully own 1-7 in the league right now. We are where we are. We want to get running and get moving.”
On the idea of his legacy
“With these seniors, and I so appreciate our guys here today, that’ll be 72 young men who have come through and finished their degree. That’s like 72 sons. I’ve heard from a lot of them in the last 24 hours. Those relationships are the key. We’ve had some amazing wins and fun stuff. We’ve also had some disappointing losses. But it’s about the guys and the relationships. I’m looking forward to a reunion down the road when we can get a lot of guys back, because we have a lot of stories.”
On what kept him at Notre Dame for 23 years
“The makeup of the young people you get to work with here. We have a lot of long-term people here with me. That’s why we’re here. It’s just unbelievable young people you get to work with.
“And then you kind of made the program yours. You put your name on it. I don’t want to reinvent at another place. I always thought this would be the last job, and obviously it is.”
On if he’s done coaching
“Retiring from coaching at Notre Dame. I wouldn’t rule out being around young people and teaching and coaching again. I don’t think I want to jump back into that next year. You almost need time to think about it. One of the things Jack and I talked about that was very exciting — and Fr. John [Jenkins] and I talked about — was still being part of Notre Dame. I’d be honored to do that.”
On previously thinking this could be his last year
“You have the energy to finish with this group. I want to finish with this group. These seniors — we talked this summer, and I may have been talking to myself when we did — I said, ‘Let’s make one last run together.’ I may have used the phrase, ‘last dance.’ Let’s make one last run together, because I may go out with you guys.’ We had a really good freshman class coming in — love those kids.
“Timing-wise, when you’re at a place for 23 years, you can get some fatigue of the routine of the place you’re at. It is what it is. As I thought about it a lot over Christmas, it’s just time for a new person.”
On the highlight of his Notre Dame career
“When you win an ACC Championship on Tobacco Road going through Duke and North Carolina, that’s pretty damn good. Those Elite Eights were great.
“But there’s also moments with your guys and different things when you’re talking to them or going through stuff with them that are highlights that never become public. But certainly that, being our second year in the [ACC], and we were able to win the tournament down there on their turf. Maybe we get a little magic back in Greensboro when we go back in two months.”
On the rest of this season
“We’re working like heck to flip the script. We have nothing to lose. We want to win an ACC game on Saturday and then go on the road to NC State and play it out. Maybe it can clear some speculation and some heads up. We can move forward and play. As a staff, we’re trying to figure out how to help our guys better.
“It’s not the first time we’ve been pushed up against the wall and try to dig out of it. It’s motivating. I think our guys are extremely motivated to do it. We’re all joined at the hip to do it, especially the seniors.”
