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Message: [QUOTE="Orangutan, post: 3529231, member: 4946"] I think this is basically it. I also think that winning a second national championship was the last major hill for her to climb professionally. Once that nucleus graduated and it was clear ND was far from title contention, I think she had no appetite for a rebuild at her age. Also, her speech at the Final Four going viral showed her that she had a platform and people were interested in what she had to say on non-basketball topics. She has always said that she didn't see herself coaching at 70. It was really the perfect time to get out. She still has her health and can go out and fully explore things like speaking engagements, community activism, and teaching. Meanwhile, her handpicked, long-groomed successor is more than ready for the opportunity. Ivey has the energy to dive into this rebuild and the talent to make it succeed. I also think that Muffet has an old-school approach and was finding it increasingly hard to sign and retain top recruits. The game of basketball hadn't passed Muffet by but the recruiting game was starting to. Niele's more overtly positive approach may resonate a little bit more with teenagers these days. [/QUOTE]