Muffet McGraw stepping down (merged threads)

[Mdoggie]

Hopefully whenever Geno announces his retirement it’s a well coordinated like what ND did. And hopefully if CD doesn’t retire with him Shea gets the job.

Let’s relax on that thought

 

[Alydar]

When Ivey left, NDs recruiting went downhill. With her back, I expect ND to be a top program in a few years, once again

Why did Ivey leave?

 

[HopJim]

I must confess to mixed emotions. There are a lot of things about MM’s personality that are not particularly endearing. But she sure could get a basketball team ready to compete. Just as with Pat/TN, the matchup between UConn and ND will never feel quite the same.

It was all too obvious that this past season took a tremendous toll on MM. When she broke down during one of her postgame pressers, even some UConn fans felt bad for her. I suspect that she and her husband had some time to reflect after the end of a terribly disappointing season.

There are generally three main reasons to leave coaching: 1) You get fired. 2) You have a health problem. 3) It’s no longer fun. In MM’s case it certainly appears to be #3.

Dude-totally agree. Would add there are sometimes other issues that for many reasons cannot be expressed. Lack of support from Administration, internal issues that are know to recruits, issues with Assistants, etc. Not a conspiracy guy but always possible that there is something behind the scenes we will not know until later.

 

[oldude]

I hope ESPN does not play on playing all the UCONN vs ND games in which we lost.

I’m OK with ESPN showing all the ND games UConn lost, so long as they also show all the games UConn won.

 

[hoopsfan22]

I thought Ivey just left? Now she's back? I imagine Irish fans are happy with this choice for head coach, but does she have any head coaching experience?

 

[EdSaid]

Only wish we could give her one more butt kicking and send her out in style!

 

[Plebe]

Wow. I'm gobsmacked. I disconnect from the Boneyard for several hours and then come back to this news.

 

[pvdoggy]

Really? I was just getting ready to write this. Where is this rep of Ivey "master recruiter" coming from?
For Azzi level of player (#1) in the class she has had far more misses than hits. She Missed on Megan Waker, KLS, Lauren Cox, Christyn Williams). To ND's credit they done well without snagging a number 1 player.

I have no first-hand knowledge. I am just repeating what I read here on the all-knowing BY.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Now one would have to say that this job opening will be the most sought after in D-1 WBB (more so than the Texas Job, the Mississippi State Job, and even last years Tennessee opening). Now, what "Prominent" current D1 College Coaches do you feel might want this job? (Jeff Walz?). I personally think that Jennifer Rizzotti would be a great choice for Notre Dame to consider (Yes, I know that this is hated Notre Dame, but for Jen, this opportunity would be terrific).

Jenn Rizzotti has done absolutely nothing to deserve a shot a coaching ND.

 

[oldude]

For anyone who might think SB could possibly leave ND to transfer to UConn, be reminded that when the recruiting relationship between SB & UConn ended early in 2019, it was not pretty.

 

[01Neaggrad02]

Wow. I'm gobsmacked. I disconnect from the Boneyard for several hours and then come back to this news.

View attachment 53430

Me as well....

 

[triaddukefan]

They are talking about this on Triangle (NC) Sports Radio right now This IS a big deal

And then they proceed to announce the successor as Novel Ivey. Mentioned them losing to Pitt in the ACC tournament @Orangutan

 

[01Neaggrad02]

For anyone who might think SB could possibly leave ND to transfer to UConn, be reminded that when the recruiting relationship between SB & UConn ended early in 2019, it was not pretty.

Do tell... I do not know the story here... please.... Juicy gossip is the next best thing since sports are not on to watch

 

[hoopsfan22]

I remember there was another program that lost a WCBB head coaching legend. An icon of the sport in fact. Her heir was also a former player turned long time respected assistant that saw the team through multiple final fours and national titles.

 

[Alydar]

So how long before Muffet is a game commentator?

 

[AmeriConn]

Anyone thinking Sam Brunelle might want to jump ship now and head to UCONN, given Coach McGraw

is no longer there and she might not want to play for Coach Ivey?
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I wonder if Muffet is leaving for greener pastures?

I think it’s more like being put out to pasture.

 

[SimpleDawg]

Like most people, I am shocked. Like Vic, it felt like there was no indication beforehand that they had any intention to leave. These shockwaves in the last 3 weeks has taken a piece of my soul.

I don't think it was because of last year that Muffet stepped down though, rather it's because she wanted to move on with her life and is simply retiring from basketball........though she definitely had quite the challenge last year.

The good thing is Notre Dame at least doesn't have to go through a coaching search, as they already have a replacement that I think is going to do a very good job. Still I can't imagine Notre Dame fans feel good about this news.

 

[ucbart]

Now one would have to say that this job opening will be the most sought after in D-1 WBB (more so than the Texas Job, the Mississippi State Job, and even last years Tennessee opening). Now, what "Prominent" current D1 College Coaches do you feel might want this job? (Jeff Walz?). I personally think that Jennifer Rizzotti would be a great choice for Notre Dame to consider (Yes, I know that this is hated Notre Dame, but for Jen, this opportunity would be terrific).

Huh? Jen's coaching career started off pretty well, but has progressively gotten worse. I dare say she is on the hot seat at GW.

 

[southofnorth]

Wow. Will be replaced by former Irish AC Niele Ivey.

Didn’t see that coming this offseason. Also surprised Niele Ivey is taking over. Thought should would stick it out in the NBA with the Grizzlies. Guess it’ll be fun to see what she does at Notre Dame.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Why did Ivey leave?

The Memphis Grizzlies made her an AC. Why take it? I suspect she believed Muffet would hang around a lot longer.

 

[ucbart]

My goodness, this board is OBSESSED with Brunelle. The ship has sailed.....

Frankly, I don't think we have room for her, she doesn't want to be come here, no matter how bitter everyone is about it, and let the kid gooooooo. Some of you are like a teenager who got their heartbroken by someone that you didn't know existed.

Furthermore, I don't get the hype about her. She is a nice player, but hardly a program changer by any means. I'm still much more upset over Charli Collier.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Check out this SI Article and the embedded video. This has been quite well choreographed.

Niele Ivey Has Been Named The Head Basketball Coach At Notre Dame

The women's basketball program is replacing a legend with a champion, as Niele Ivey has been named the new head coach

www.si.com

 

[oldude]

Do tell... I do not know the story here... please.... Juicy gossip is the next best thing since sports are not on to watch

Most here know the story. SB showed up in Storrs with her family for an unofficial visit in January of 2019. About that time a mysterious poster by the name of Dolphan, who clearly had some connection to SB, showed up on the BY indicating some problems with the recruiting process, specifically wondering whether UConn’s offer was still on the table. Dolphan started making noises about SB announcing her decision early.

SB had previously planned to wait until fall to announce her decision but in early March I believe, SB announced on her mother’s Facebook page that she was heading to ND. Subsequently, one of the UConn beat reporters wrote an anonymously sourced article indicating that UConn had never offered SB a scholarship. Dolphan insisted that she had been offered.

We will likely never know the truth, but we can be pretty certain that SB will never suit up in Husky blue.

 

[Plebe]

My goodnes, this board is OBSESSED with Brunelle. Can't that ship just be sailed away for good?

Frankly, I don't think we have room for her, she doesn't want to be come here, no matter how bitter everyone is about it, and let the kid gooooooo. Some of you are like a teenager who got their heartbroken by someone that you didn't know existed.

Furthermore, I don't get the hype about her. She is a nice player, but hardly a program changer by any means. I'm still much more upset over Charli Collier.

I've realized that some Boneyarders have a procedures manual:

1. Hear news of coach departure.
2. Scour the roster for any desirable player(s).
3. Immediately speculate/inquire about said player(s) transferring to UConn.

 

[MSGRET]

So how long before Muffet is a game commentator?

I hope it's not as a Big East commentator. She'd never have a kind word to say about Geno and UConn.