LOOK: Jay Bilas pens heartfelt message to Mike Brey following announcement of his retirement

The news broke on Thursday evening that Notre Dame head basketball coach Mike Brey would indeed be stepping down at the end of this college basketball season. Brey confirmed the news that he’d be retiring from college basketball coaching at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. Following the news, one of the most respected names in college basketball, ESPN’s Jay Bilas, decided to share a message to congratulate him on his eventual retirement at the end of the season.

Check it out below.

Mike Brey is one of the true good guys in the game. We worked together for three years as assistants at Duke, and I spent countless hours in his office, learning from him. He is a great friend and mentor, and a fabulous coach and leader. Congrats Mike, and THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/dhjcq7UHdw

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 19, 2023

“Mike Brey is one of the true good guys in the game. We worked together for three years as assistants at Duke, and I spent countless hours in his office, learning from him. He is a great friend and mentor, and a fabulous coach and leader. Congrats Mike, and THANK YOU!” Bilas tweeted on Thursday.

Here were Brey’s comments on the decision to hang up the whistle:

“It has been a great run for me and our program over the past two decades, but it is time for a new voice to lead this group into the future,” said Brey. “I want to thank our student-athletes, assistant coaches and support staff who have played such a key role in the culture we have created. From Fr. Malloy hiring me, to Fr. Jenkins’ guidance and Jack’s (Swarbrick) friendship, I leave this place with immense gratitude to the University and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I look forward to working with Jack in any role that can help the Notre Dame family.”

Statement on Mike Brey’s retirement from different people at the University of Notre Dame

Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick had this to say on Brey’s eventual retirement on behalf of the school:

“Mike (Brey) and I have talked often in recent years about a future transition in the program’s leadership and during our most recent conversation we reached the mutual conclusion that the end of this season represented the right time.

“That Mike (Brey) is the winningest coach in the 119-year history of Notre Dame men’s basketball speaks to his skill as a teacher of the game. His even greater legacy, however, lies in his achievements as an educator and mentor of the young men who played for him. In that sense, he represents this University as well as any coach I have worked with during my time at Notre Dame. And for that reason, I look forward to working with Mike to define his future role within Notre Dame Athletics.”

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, added:

“For over two decades Mike Brey’s program has maintained the highest integrity, graduated its student athletes and achieved tremendous success on the court. Despite the many pressures of his sport, he remained at heart a teacher of young men, helping them play at the highest level while growing into adults and preparing for success beyond basketball.”

On3’s Alex Weber also contributed to this article.