Mike Brey: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?

There has been a lot of debate since the last post-season debacle whether or not Mike Brey remain as the head coach of the Notre Dame basketball team. It is amazing that after leading his team to one of its best seasons in recent memory that fans would be calling for his firing. However, raising expectations can sometimes cause your own demise.

Mike Brey Regular-Season vs. Notre Dame Regular-Season

11 Years         93 years

.677 (21-10)   .652 (15-8)
(232-116)       (1441-790)

On average, Brey is above average as a regular season Notre Dame basketball coach. Compared to Notre Dame's longest tenured coaches ranks 2nd.

George Keogan        John Jordan              Digger Phelps
20 years (1923-43)   13 years (1951-64)   20 years (1971-91)
327-97-1 (.771)        199-131 (.603)         393-197 (.666)

Even though Brey ranks 2nd in group of longest tenured coaches, he leads Digger Phelps, the only contemporary coach. Brey definitely passes the test in this category.


Mike Brey Post-Season vs. Notre Dame Post-Season
7 Bids (63.6%)  24 Bids (39.3%)
.461 (1st/2nd)    .489 (1st/2nd)
(6-7)                  (23-24)

Mike Brey and Notre Dame have about the same winning percentage. This adds up to their teams ending up in the first or second round when they are in the NCAA tournament. On average, Brey gets his team in the tournament 63.6% of the time. Notre Dame received 24 bids since 1939 for a percentage of 39.3%. The only difference is Notre Dame has been to the Final Four once and the Elite Eight four times, which is further than Mike Brey has been. It appears the expectations should be reaching the tournament and getting to the second round. Therefore, Mike Brey has met expectations.

Mike Brey vs. Big East (Only Reflects As Big East Coach)
Mike Brey        Jim Calhoun      Jamie Dixon       Rick Pitino    John Thompson III  

.677                  .726                   .782                    .711               .692

Mick Cronin     Oliver Purnell    Buzz Williams   Mike Rice     Steve Lavin
.568                  .225                   .657                    .468              .636

Kevin Willard   Stan Heath        Jim Boeheim     Bob Huggins
.433                  .431                   .740                   .709

Mike Brey ranks 7th with Big East Coaches that features Legends like Jim Calhoun, Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim and Bob Huggins as well as current stars Jamie Dixon and John Thompson III. Mike Brey does not find himself too far behind these individuals.

Brey's Recruiting Picking Up
Notre Dame has received commitments from Pat Connaughton (ranked #96 overall by ESPN in the 2011 class) and Cameron Biedscheid (ranked #48 overall by ESPN in the 2012 class). Notre Dame also is looking at several top 2012 prospects, Gary Harris and Jerami Grant. Hopefully with the recent success and exposure, Notre Dame will get several more significant commitments.

So, what do you think? Should Brey stay or go? Chime in at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=165&uid=159456444104922