V.J. Beachem doesn’t know where the time has gone, but he is OK with everything feeling like it is moving at warp speed.Notre Dame made sure one of the winningest coaches in women’s basketball history isn’t going anywhere for a long time.
Muffet McGraw received a 10-year contract extension, the university announced Monday.
“It’s a privilege to be able to represent Notre Dame, in what is certainly the greatest job in the world, for another 10 years,” McGraw said in a statement. “I’ve been so blessed to work with some incredibly talented people, both in terms of the student-athletes that have come through Notre Dame, and the coaches and staff who have been part of our success through the years. We also have a tremendous administration, and I’m grateful to both (athletic director Jack Swarbrick) and (Notre Dame president Father John Jenkins) for their support, as well as the support of our amazing fans, who are absolutely the best in the country.”
McGraw led the Irish to a national championship in 2001 and championship game appearances in the last two seasons as well as 1997.
In 25 seasons with Notre Dame, McGraw has a 591-215 record. She is 679-256 in 30 seasons as a head coach.
The Irish have reached the NCAA tournament 19 times under McGraw, including a current streak of 17 consecutive NCAA berths.
“We are thrilled to be able to enter into a decade-long agreement with Muffet, who is not only the face of Notre Dame women’s basketball, but increasingly, the face of women’s basketball, given all that she’s accomplished,” Swarbrick said. “She’s taken this program to a place where it’s annually in the conversation for the national championships, which is the model all coaches want to follow.”
