Newsstand: Jay Bilas reacts to longtime friend and former coworker Mike Brey’s retirement
Jay Bilas knew Mike Brey before he was Mike Brey. Before he became Notre Dame’s all-time wins leader and known as the “loosest coach in America.” Before he became one of college basketball’s most popular figures among colleagues and fans.
Brey and Bilas, now an ESPN college basketball analyst, worked under Mike Krzyzewski on the same Duke staff as assistants from 1989-92. Bilas left coaching after that stint. Brey stayed in it — for three more years at Duke, five as Delaware’s head coach and 23 at Notre Dame. That run, and perhaps his coaching career, will come to an end after this season. Notre Dame announced Thursday he is stepping aside after the season.
Bilas was among the many coaches and players to share his reaction and pay a tribute to his longtime friend.
“Mike Brey is one of the true good guys in the game,” Bilas tweeted. “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!”
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Brey will speak publicly for the first time since the announcement at a press conference Friday at 11 a.m. ET.
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Quote of the Day
“Mike 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.”
— Director of athletics Jack Swarbrick on Mike Brey’s upcoming retirement
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