Notre Dame Fighting Irish news: Disappointing end to a great career

With the Notre Dame men’s basketball team losing to the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round of the ACC tournament, Mike Brey’s career as head coach of the Irish comes to a close. The Irish fought hard but were knocked out of the ACC tournament, which they needed to win to get into the NCAA tournament.

The Hokies took down the Fighting Irish by a score of 67-64. JJ Starling’s scoring abilities were again missed, as only two Notre Dame players scored double digits. Marcus Hammond was 9 for 16 with 23 points, and Cormac Ryan went 7-14 and added 18 of his own. The closest Irish player behind them was Matt Zona, who scored 9.

As a team, the Irish were solid from downtown shooting 38.1% but didn’t too well from the field overall, shooting 24 of 56 for a 42.9% clip. The men’s basketball squad won the turnover battle by committing one less than Virginia Tech and had the same amount of rebounds as the Hokies. However, the Irish simply needed to see a few more shots go through the hoop to pull this one out.

It’s a tough end to the Mike Brey era at Notre Dame, but it shouldn’t take away from the incredible career that he has had. The Irish will be lucky to find a coach as good and successful as Brey in searching for the next head guy. Whomever they find, that person will have some pretty big shoes to fill.

The ACC seeing legendary and great coaches leave programs over the last few years is nothing new, as both Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski have retired recently. While his professional future remains uncertain, Brey will be missed in South Bend.

Whatever he does, if anything, we know he’ll succeed. We wish nothing but the best to an outstanding person and coach. Thanks for the memories, coach, and congratulations on an incredible career.