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3 Best Coaches in Notre Dame Men’s Basketball History

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 19: Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst Digger Phelps speaks to the crowd after being inducted in the Notre Dame Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Purcel Pavilion on January 19, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Virginia Tech 70-63. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 19: Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst Digger Phelps speaks to the crowd after being inducted in the Notre Dame Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Purcel Pavilion on January 19, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Virginia Tech 70-63. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 01: ESPN College GameDay hosts (L-R) Digger Phelps and Jay Bilas prior to the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on February 1, 2014 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

1.  Digger Phelps 1971-1991

If there’s one coach who you imagine when you think of Notre Dame basketball, it’s Digger Phelps roaming the bench. He spent twenty seasons coaching Notre Dame to a career record of 393-195. Phelps was also responsible for four Sweet Sixteens, an Elite Eight, a regional third place finish, and a Final Four. They had seven other NCAA Tournament appearances under Phelps. Notre Dame also had three NIT appearances under Phelps. Furthermore, Phelps had thirteen seasons of at least 20 wins in a season.

Phelps’ Notre Dame teams are better known for the upsets that they pulled over highly ranked teams than their NCAA Tournament success. It was Phelps and Notre Dame that ended John Wooden and UCLA’s 88 game winning streak.

The Bruins wasn’t the only major upset that Notre Dame pulled off under Phelps. The Irish beat six top ranked teams not named UCLA while Phelps was the head coach of Notre Dame. That included a double overtime thriller over DePaul and snapping Virginia’s 28 game winning streak. Those seven upsets over top ranked teams is tied with Gary Williams for most as a coach.

During his time in South Bend Digger Phelps coached Adrian Dantley and John Shumate, both of whom were All-Americans. Dantley was also Mr. Basketball USA, and went on to have his number retired by the Utah Jazz. He’s now in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player.

Digger Phelps is a two time national Coach of the Year. He earned the honor for the 1974 and 1987 seasons.

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One of the greatest things about Phelps is his love for Notre Dame, demonstrated by the fact that he lives in South Bend to this day. He immersed himself in the Notre Dame community, and put two decades of his life into the community.e

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