Mike Brey wanted Notre Dame to be his last job, and it likely will be for the basketball coach.
The university announced Tuesday that Brey agreed to a 10-year contract extension, which will keep him with the Irish through the 2021-22 season. Financial terms were not released.
"I'm honored and thrilled that this can be the last stop," Brey said during a news conference Tuesday. "I never had a fallback.… There is something about putting your name on a program. It's become my program now. I'm really proud of that."
Brey will enter his 13th year with the Irish this season. He is the third-winningest coach in Irish history, going 260-132 in 12 years.
Brey has led Notre Dame to nine 20-win seasons, and has won 10 or more Big East regular-season games eight times.
Brey's extension puts him in position to eclipse the victory totals of Digger Phelps (393-197) and George Keogan (327-97) at Notre Dame.
"I love the way he approached teaching the game at practice, not a lot of dramatics. It's not a lot of yelling. It's very clear instruction, very clear expectations," athletic director Jack Swarbrick said of Brey.
"A lot is invested in the team. They got to make it work. They got to take ownership."
Brey, 53, is a three-time Big East coach of the year and was named the 2011 national coach of the year.
He has led the Irish to eight NCAA tournament appearances, but he hasn't advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2003.
Brey is coming off one of his most impressive coaching performances.
After losing All-Big East preseason selection Tim Abromaitis to a career-ending knee injury, Brey guided Notre Dame to a 22-12 season and a third straight NCAA tournament appearance.
The Irish return all five starters from last season's team, and they add center Garrick Sherman, a transfer from Michigan State, as well as talented freshmen Cameron Biedscheid and Zach Auguste.
Thanks to the security of a long-term deal and the returning and incoming talent, Brey said he is ready to lead the Irish to more success in the postseason.
"In the last six years, and where we're at, and how we're recruiting and how it's coming together...that's something realistic," Brey said. "Those big dreams you want to dream, they're worth dreaming now. We've got to do a better job of figuring out how to get us there in March."
