Mike Brey leaving Notre Dame: College basketball fans, media react to his historic career
Mike Brey officially announced his plans to step away from Notre Dame at the end of the season on Thursday afternoon.
Brey has spent the last 23 seasons as Notre Dame’s head coach. He’s the winningest coach in program history and has led the Irish to the NCAA Tournament 13 times during his tenure.
Brey shared this message on Twitter shortly after the announcement was made:
From Fr. Malloy hiring me, to @FatherJenkinsND’s guidance & @NotreDameAD's friendship, I'll leave @NotreDame with gratitude to the University and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished together. Thanks to our student-athletes, coaches & staff who've played a key role in our culture. https://t.co/zjdRBhIlJK
— Mike Brey (@NDMikeBrey) January 19, 2023
Brey’s peak at Notre Dame was an impressive stretch from 2007-17 when he led the Irish to 8 NCAA Tournament appearances across 10 seasons. 2 of those teams — 2015 and 2016 — made it all the way to the Elite Eight.
Brey has won 481 games while at Notre Dame, which ranks 6th amongst active Division 1 coaches at their current programs. He also won 99 games at Delaware before moving to South Bend prior to the 2000-01 season.
Here’s some of the best reaction to the news that Brey would be stepping down at the end of the season:
THANK YOU MIKE BREY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QD6vhF2fwR
— Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Daily (@NDMBBdaily) January 19, 2023
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
I’ll go into replacements later, but whoever it is will have big shoes to fill.
What Mike Brey did for this program can never be forgotten.
— Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Daily (@NDMBBdaily) January 19, 2023
This is how I’ll remember Mike Brey – head coach of my all-time favorite ND sports team. pic.twitter.com/eOrnWQzCIn
— Ben Troy (@drbtroy) January 19, 2023
I hope the ACC Network hires Mike Brey to host a new show called “ACC After Dark” and it’s just him with a glass of scotch talking ACC hoops.
— Phony Bennett (@IfTonyTweeted) January 19, 2023
To me, ZERO reason to go in the so-called “family” for Mike Brey’s replacement. Go get the best candidate if you are Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick.
Should be able to pluck a really good mid-major coach.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 19, 2023
Mike Brey is an outstanding basketball coach and a great guy. He's had an amazing run at Notre Dame (and Delaware, where I first met him, before that), and certainly has earned a wonderful retirement.
But, man, the ACC is gonna be a lot less fun without him around.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) January 19, 2023
Thank you Mike Brey, you are the reason I fell in love with college basketball
Great coach, even better guy
We get so wrapped up in betting, we forget that these players are just kids. The job of a cbb coach is not only to help these guys grow on the court but as men as well 🍀 https://t.co/K5ICcHdidD pic.twitter.com/fsfcDBalcy
— 🦀💵 (@Krabs_Bets) January 19, 2023
I’m going to need Top 100 College Basketball Media Personality @dannykanell to tell me how to feel about Mike Brey.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) January 19, 2023
Good for Mike Brey. He had a hell of a career at Notre Dame, but it was time. One of the best coaches of the 2010s https://t.co/XRU3f2W8Kh
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) January 19, 2023
Mike Brey. Thank you for everything you’ve done for this program. Unbelievable run. Gonna miss him man.
— NDMB Fanpage (@NotreDamembb) January 19, 2023
Good for Mike Brey. Hell of a coach, has done a hell of a job in elevating that program.
Will be interested to see who is next… and if this is the last ACC opening this cycle or not 👀
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) January 19, 2023
Wow. Mike Brey is stepping down after this season (481 wins are the most in Notre Dame history).
The ACC has lost some legendary coaches over the last five years or so.
— Rick Heidrick (@rheidrick24) January 19, 2023
This image is the only correct way everyone should remember Mike Brey as head coach of Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/M7B4qDBPpc
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) January 19, 2023
Get Mike Brey in the booth immediately after the Irish exit the ACC Tournament
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) January 19, 2023
Pretty telling postgame from Mike Brey earlier this week after Notre Dame lost to Florida State in hindsight. Totally exasperated and defeated. Slams his palms on the table in frustration. Clearly upset with himself and his coaching. (vid via Irish Illustrated) pic.twitter.com/BzAac4GUpx
— Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) January 19, 2023
Mike Brey is one of the true good guys in the game. We worked together for three years as assistants at Duke, and I spent countless hours in his office, learning from him. He is a great friend and mentor, and a fabulous coach and leader. Congrats Mike, and THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/dhjcq7UHdw
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 19, 2023
Mike Brey was born for retirement. pic.twitter.com/ONGzW4Nxj1
— The College Basketball Stories Podcast (@theCBBstories) January 19, 2023
End of the Mike Brey era. I'll miss watching Brey get hyped on the sidelines looking like he just crawled out of a Vegas casino at 4 am. Nobody will enjoy retirement more pic.twitter.com/XkIn5EhvEJ
— Tyler Wojciak (@TylerWojciak) January 19, 2023