Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Muffet McGraw is retiring from coaching after 33 seasons. InkFreeNews file photo by Scott Davidson

Staff Report

SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw is retiring after winning two national championships in 33 years with the Irish.

The school announced her decision Wednesday.

The 64-year-old McGraw became the 13th woman inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. She won 936 games, ranking sixth among Division I coaches, with 842 coming at Notre Dame.

McGraw is one of five Division I men’s or women’s basketball coaches with at least 930 wins, nine Final Fours and multiple titles. Her national championships were won in 2001 and 2018.

Former Notre Dame star and Irish assistant coach Niele Ivey was immediately named the next head coach in replacing McGraw.

McGraw issued a public statement ahead of a press conference.

“It has been my great honor to represent the University of Notre Dame these past 33 years, but the time has come for me to step down as your head basketball coach. I want to thank Monk Malloy and Father Jenkins for giving me the opportunity to coach the game I love at a University I love. I have learned much about leadership from the many athletic directors with whom I have served, and in particular, I want to thank Jack Swarbrick for his unwavering support.

“I am grateful to have worked with the best assistant coaches in the business, and I have been blessed to coach so many phenomenal women.

“To the best fans in the country, it was my honor and privilege to play for you.

“Matt and I want to thank everyone who has touched our lives and shared a part of our amazing journey. We will treasure the memories for the rest of our lives. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I can turn the page to the next chapter in my life with no regrets, knowing that I gave it my best every day.”