What they’re saying: Reaction to Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey stepping away
One of the most lovable coaches in college sports is on his way out soon. Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach Mike Brey will “step away” at the end of this season after 23 years at the helm of the program, the university announced Thursday.
His glory days behind him, Brey’s Fighting Irish are 9-10 overall and 1-7 in ACC play. They’ve lost eight of their last 10 games. But the college sports community won’t remember Brey for this year’s struggle or only reaching the NCAA Tournament once in his last six seasons. They’ll remember him for more than his three Big East Coach of the Year and 2011 Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year honors, too.
Brey did things differently than most by-the-book, all-business coaches. Just let ESPN do-it-all college sports show host Rece Davis say so himself.
“We often have this discussion. Who is the most regular guy in all of coaching ?” Davis tweeted Thursday night. “That’s a compliment. Meaning-just a good dude. @NDMikeBrey is always at the top of the list. Elite coach and person. Appreciate his friendship. Living proof nice guys can finish first.”
Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey was asked about Brey after her team’s 57-54 victory over Clemson on Thursday night. She ranted and raved about the man she spent time around as a player, assistant coach and head coach in South Bend for so many years in the last two decades.
“Mike Brey is somebody I have high respect for,” Ivey said. “He was supportive of me as a student-athlete and as a coach. I think he has given so much to the university. I’m really happy for him. I’m thankful for what he’s done for our university and our men’s program. He’s the winningest coach in our program. He set the standard, set the bar. I’ll always have so much love and respect for him. I’m excited for his future but also just a lot of respect for what he’s done for this university.”
So many others inside the Notre Dame sphere and within the college basketball community abroad chimed in with their thoughts on Brey departing the program he made his own for so long. Below are some of the best social media messages out there.
