As the NCAA college basketball season is nearing an end, Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde looked at multiple team’s coaching situations as the year is finishing up. Forde ended up looking at the Irish’s situation with Mike Brey and suggested that the 21-year tenure in South Bend might be coming to an end.
In no way does Forde have any insider information as to what Brey’s future holds, but “at age 61, Brey could coach a while longer if he wants. but he also would be a natural on TV and might be tired of fighting some of the recruiting wars.”
This week's Forde Minutes is at your disposal. Looking at 21 ticklish coaching situations, OK State's new NCAA tourney life, who wants to be a No. 1 seed, the unluckiest team in the country, Q&A with Porter Moser (and an update on Sister Jean). Plus more. https://t.co/QzETn4KGst
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 9, 2021
The glory years of Brey’s tenure were in 2014-16, with Elite-8 appearances in both season along with an ACC conference tournament title in ‘15. The last NCAA appearance was in 2017, although you could argue the Irish were poised to make a return last year had the NCAA tournament not been canceled.
It has been a bit of a struggle this season, the Irish have sputtered to a 7-10 overall record, just 4-7 in conference. Although Brey might not be riding off into the sunset after this season, at his age of 61, there might not be much more coaching left in his future. He just signed a contract extension through the 2025 season and if I had to guess, Brey rides out his contract then heads off to enjoy retirement in the booth.