Notre Dame men’s basketball coach Mike Brey isn’t ready to retire, but he’s ready for «something new.»
Speaking Friday morning with OutKick’s Dan Dakich about «I don’t @«, Brey explained his decision to move away from the Irish and what could be next.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey watches his team during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Dakich asked the 63-year-old Brey the question that has been on everyone’s minds since he announced in mid-February that he was leaving the Irish after 23 seasons.
NOTRE DAME’S MIKE BREY THROWS ONE BACK AFTER PRACTICE LAST HOME GAME WITH TEAM
Because?
«There’s no question we were struggling, we were really looking,» Brey said of Notre Dame’s team this season. «And I even felt it at Christmas. Maybe it’s time for a new voice. I actually thought about it on the plane home from San Diego (after a couple games last season).
«It wasn’t that long ago that we won two NCAA Tournament games,» Brey continued with a laugh. «It was only last March…»
Despite the team’s relatively recent success, Brey felt it was time to go.
«I think it’s time for someone new,» Mike Brey told Dakich. «And I think I’d like to do something new, whatever it is.»
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey reacts to a call in the first half as the University of Miami Hurricanes faced the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish on February 2, 2022, at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. (Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Notre Dame is 11-19 under Brey this season
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Brey added that the decision to move away from Notre Dame was not controversial. «It was mutual,» Brey said. He then told Dakich that he and Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick decided in January that they would part ways and work together to find Brey’s successor and make the transition as smooth as possible.
In his 23 seasons in charge, Brey and Notre Dame won 482 games, lost just 275. Brey guided the Irish to 13 NCAA tournament appearances and was named Big East Coach of the Year three times.
Clearly, he is still one of the best coaches in college basketball. But he apparently he now he is more interested in being one of the best grandparents.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Mike Brey reacts during their game against the NC State Wolfpack at PNC Arena on January 24, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (King Spears/Getty Images)
Brey said the same thing when he thought about having his team for Christmas while missing his grandchildren who live in Florida. «I think it’s time to be there more,» Brey admitted.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
As Coach Brey puts it, there’s no single reason he’d choose to walk away from South Bend: «A perfect storm of ‘it’s time, man.’
When Brey leaves the Irish bench, he will apparently do so with no regrets.
«The venue has been great for me,» Brey said. «23 years. I’ve been very lucky. But it’s time to have a new voice there.»