Notre Dame Head Coach, Mike Brey, released the following statement today:
Notre Dame, Ind. – “While I am not one to react to internet rumors, I want to make it clear that I did not interview for the North Carolina State job and I am not a candidate for the North Carolina State job. I am the coach at Notre Dame and honored to be it.”
Brey’s name had been batted around by some for the last few weeks as a potential candidate for the NC State coaching job. The name had never become very public until the last couple of days when Pack Pride focused on him a lot.
As with many things in life — the potential marriage between Mike Brey and NC State is all about (bad) timing. Brey, like others from Coach K’s coaching tree, has made no secret of his appreciation and respect for the NC State job through the years. Years ago when the rest of college basketball expected NC State to fire Herb Sendek, Brey was eyeing the job from Delaware. He ultimately replaced Matt Doherty at Notre Dame.
After having some initial success with the Irish, Brey’s star has faded some in recent years and he is kind of in a situation somewhat similar to that of Sendek where he would may be interested in other jobs just to reset his clock at a new school. We probably liked/accepted Brey’s potential more than some. But, the risks of a Brey hire were significant.
It is refreshing to see someone smart enough to take charge of the media and the situation and issue a statement like Brey did today. I’m sure that NC State appreciates the way he positioned his comments as opposed to making it sound like he turned us down. More on this topic here.
If Fowler/State has legitimately been talking to Brey in recent weeks, then is there a catalyst event that has created the termination of Brey’s candidacy? Don’t bet on anything until it is sign, sealed, and delivered.
