Mike Brey is the winningest coach in Notre Dame Men’s Basketball History, but he believes that another voice is needed for the university. He calls it a career after 23 seasons, what a ride it has been.
Brey announced on January 19th that he is stepping down as the head coach of Notre Dame’s men’s basketball team. The guy who led the Irish to 12 NCAA tournament appearances, the guy who led the Irish to an ACC Championship Title in 2015 (Beating Blue Blood North Carolina 90-82), the guy who led them to an Elite Eight appearance in 2015. Brey is the man, the myth, the legend, who put Notre Dame back on the college basketball map as a thought to be a primarily dominant football school.
What is even more impressive about his time at Notre Dame is that he did it with less, running a small bench near the end of his tenure. His shocking departure after the end of this season hit the college basketball world hard, with hall-of-fame coaches like Jay Wright coming out to speak on social media about the impact he will leave on the game and the university itself. Brey is one of the calmest, easygoing, most relaxed, guys you will ever meet. One of the best moments that everyone will remember, as mentioned on College Gameday by Jay Bilas, “Mike Brey said the guys were tight, and then showed him film of Drexel (who they were playing in the American Championship game), and said if we do nothing else right, we have to stop this pick-n-fence play. The guys cracked up laughing and played loose as if they had nothing to lose.”
“Another moment was when Notre Dame played Louisville, coached by Rick Pitino, in a five-overtime game. Pitino looked like he was being dragged through the fences and Mike Brey was like, “Let’s play another one, Let’s play another one.” (Referring to another overtime period). That’s the guy he was, loose, collected, and calm. The impact he will have on South Bend is unforgettable and one I will cherish forever as a long lifetime fan of the Irish. He’s one of a kind.
Top Candidates to Replace Brey
Chris Quinn Miami Heat Assistant Coach
Quinn, who is a former Irish guard, who played under Mike Brey, could look to come back to his alma mater. The rumor does have it that he would be more interested in accepting a professional job in the NBA as a head coach instead of college though. Quinn scored 1,454 points and 428 assists during his time in South Bend. He has not left the Heat since accepting the job under head coach, Erik Spoelstra. This seems like a bit of a longshot than the other candidates.
Pat Kelsey Charleston Head Coach
Kelsey has been an assistant under Skip Prosser at Wake Forest and under Chris Mack at Xavier. Kelsey immediately landed the Winthrop job, changing their ways of losing into winning, going 20-13 after Gregg Marshall was fired. He had a winning record of 172-78 at Winthrop, winning the conference four times. Now, he is the head coach of Charleston, who is considered one of the best mid-majors this season at a record of 22-3, after starting the season off going 20-1 and a 19-game win streak. He is one of the hottest head coaching names in college basketball to take over a power five job.
Darian DeVries Drake Head Coach
DeVries remained on the staff of Creighton from 2001-2018, first as a graduate manager, and then as an assistant in 2001 under Greg McDermott. He then went to Drake, where in his 5th season, has his fifth 20 or more win seasons with the Bulldogs. Before he was at the helm, Drake was 40-87 over four years. Now, he has the Bulldogs with a record of 109-46 since taking over in 2018, earning coach of the year honors for the second time in three seasons. On top of that Drake won its first NCAA tournament game against Wichita State for the first time the program has done so in 50 years. The only downside is DeVries was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, the state in which Drake is located. It would be a tall task.
Read the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up.