Niele Ivey, the esteemed head coach of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team, has recently made headlines by declining lucrative offers from rival programs and WNBA teams, reaffirming her commitment to the Fighting Irish. This decision has sent ripples through both the NCAA and the WNBA communities, highlighting Ivey’s dedication to her alma mater.

 

Ivey’s journey with Notre Dame is deeply rooted. As a player, she led the team to its first national championship in 2001. Transitioning into coaching, she served as an assistant under the legendary Muffet McGraw, contributing to another national title in 2018. Her coaching prowess was further recognized when she became an assistant coach for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, making history as one of the few female coaches in the league. citeturn0search5

 

In 2020, Ivey returned to Notre Dame as the head coach, succeeding McGraw. Under her leadership, the team has showcased remarkable performance, currently boasting an undefeated 12-0 start in ACC play. In a recent interview, Ivey emphasized the importance of team leadership and the collective effort that has propelled the team’s success. citeturn0search2

 

Despite the allure of substantial contracts from other programs and professional teams, Ivey’s decision to remain with Notre Dame underscores her unwavering loyalty and belief in the potential of the Fighting Irish. Her commitment not only solidifies the program’s standing in collegiate basketball but also serves as an inspiration to players and fans alike.

 

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Coach Ivey and the Notre Dame women’s basketball team, anticipating continued excellence and a potential deep run in the NCAA tournament.

 

For more insights from Coach Ivey herself, you can watch her recent interview discussing the team’s impressive start to the season:

 

videoNiele Ivey Joins ACCPM To Talk 12-0 Start, Team Leadershipturn0search2