Legendary Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw steps down

Iconic Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Muffet McGraw is calling it a career. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw steps down; Niele Ivey named successor

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/22/20

One of the iconic figures of women's college basketball has left her most-famous gig.

On Wednesday afternoon, Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw announced via Twitter that she was stepping down after 33 years in the position.

pic.twitter.com/iGIrJsz7ie
— Muffet McGraw (@MuffetMcGraw) April 22, 2020

Soon after McGraw's announcement, the Fighting Irish honored her via social media:

After a Hall of Fame career, two national championships and a lifetime commitment to empowering women, @MuffetMcGraw steps down as the head coach of @NDwbb.

Thank you, Coach.

https://t.co/GyUAW4RvHF #ThankYouMuffet pic.twitter.com/lHB8v96mFH
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) April 22, 2020

Notre Dame also announced former player and assistant coach Niele Ivey, who last worked as an assistant for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, will replace McGraw.

Welcome home, @IrishCoachIvey.

Niele Ivey returns to @NDwbb as head coach after playing a part in each of the program's nine Final Fours.

https://t.co/mlsSFV1CBz #WelcomeHomeNiele pic.twitter.com/00DWSRPeFk
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) April 22, 2020

As noted by Pete Byrne of South Bend television station WSBT, McGraw won Associated Press National Coach of the Year honors four times, she led the Irish to national titles in 2001 and 2018, and she guided teams to seven championship contests and nine Final Four appearances throughout her storied career.

Byrne also added:

The 2018 title put McGraw in rare company. She joined Geno Auriemma (Connecticut), Pat Summitt (Tennessee), Tara VanDerveer (Stanford) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke-men) as the only coaches in men's of women's basketball to win over 900 games, play in at least nine Final Fours and win multiple national championships.

In 2017, McGraw was enshrined in The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.