There are many great coaches in college basketball, but I firmly believe, there's no better fit than Mike Brey at Notre Dame.
He's inherited a team in the BIG EAST cellar in 2000, and turned them into a program to be reckoned with. For that reason, he's been honored as the BIG EAST coach of the year THREE TIMES, and the 2011 NATIONAL coach of the year. Brey is the third winningest active coach in the BIG EAST, trailing only two hall of famers (Jim Calhoun & Jim Boeheim). And his teams are almost unbeatable at home (100-7 since 2006).
Naysayers are quick to point out the lack of NCAA tournament success, to which I'd say: You can't make the Sweet 16 if you don't make the tournament. And Notre Dame hadn't been there in ten years before Brey arrived. They've gone 8 of 12 since.
Mike Brey gets the most out of his team, year in and year out, in the toughest league in the country...while upholding the kind of academic and social ideals the university holds dear. Good luck finding another coach in men's basketball today that balances both so well.
Finally, Brey wants to be here. He always has. In an interview I did with Brey after his 10th season at Notre Dame... It was clear he's as passionate about the job today...as he was the day he first arrived.
"There's no question I would like to end my career here," Brey said in July of 2010. "And nothing's changed from ten years ago... My goal is to do a good enough job that I can retire here. I said that July 14th, 2000."
Goal accomplished.
