Mike Brey

Mike Brey is a man with a clear vision.

When he was named the men's basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame in July of 2000, he had one distinct goal -- to lead the resurgence of an Irish basketball program that had fallen on tough times.

After five seasons, the union of Brey and Notre Dame has been a resounding success. Regarded as one of the bright young coaches in the game today, he is nearing the goal of making the Irish an annual contender among the nation's elite programs. Brey has brought confidence and a feeling of stability to the program. He is the epitome of a players' coach who enjoys the relationship he shares with his players.

In a short time, he has put his signature on the Irish basketball program. After five highly successful campaigns, Brey has a Big East Conference championship banner, three NCAA tournament appearances and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2003 to his credit. His teams have averaged 20 wins per season and won nearly 66-percent of their contests.

An 18-year veteran of the college ranks as both the head coach at Delaware (1995-2000) and assistant at Duke (1987-95), Brey has compiled an impressive 102-56 mark for a .659 winning percentage in his first five seasons with the Irish. He is the only coach in the 100-year history of the program to lead his teams to three consecutive 20-win seasons and three straight NCAA tournament berths in his first three seasons.

Reared in a home with two parents as educators, coaching appears to have been a natural profession for Brey to pursue. Associations with legendary coaches Morgan Wootten and Mike Krzyzewski have molded his philosophy and strengthened his foundation as a man and coach. Success has always been an integral part of Brey's life as both a player and coach. He was a former player and assistant coach for Wootten at DeMatha High School and a veteran of eights seasons as an assistant on the bench next to Krzyzewski at Duke, where he helped the Blue Devils to six NCAA Final Four appearances and two national championships.

In addition to being and outstanding coach and leader, Mike Brey's dedication and involvement with the Coaches vs. Cancer (CVC) Program continues to produce record-setting numbers each year in the South Bend and Michiana area. With more than $216,000 raised during 2004-05, Notre Dame ranks sixth among universities and colleges across the country in monies raised for CVC and the American Cancer Society.

Brey was the recipient of the 2003 CVC Champion Award, given annually by the CVC National Council and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He has been a national board member of the Council since February of '03. Mike Brey speaks to audiences around the country about teamwork, dedication to excellence and accountability.