Former NBA veteran takes over at Notre Dame in historic NIL move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 20, 2025 4:59 PM ET

In a bold move that signals Notre Dame’s aggressive embrace of the NIL era, Pat Garrity is back in South Bend—but this time, not in uniform. The former Irish standout and 10-year NBA veteran has been named General Manager of Notre Dame basketball operations, overseeing both the men’s and women’s programs. It’s a groundbreaking appointment—believed to be the first dual-program GM role in all of college basketball.

For Garrity, this isn’t just a homecoming. It’s a pioneering opportunity.

A 1998 Notre Dame graduate and 1997 Big East Player of the Year, Garrity scored over 2,000 career points for the Irish before embarking on an NBA career that included nine seasons with the Orlando Magic. After retiring in 2008, he transitioned to the front office, serving as Assistant GM for the Detroit Pistons from 2016 to 2020—gaining hands-on experience with roster management, contract negotiations, and salary cap strategy.

Now, at 48, he’s bringing that pro-level experience to the college ranks—right as NIL and the transfer portal redefine the recruiting and retention game.

Garrity’s role includes managing roster composition, guiding NIL strategy, and supporting both head coaches—Micah Shrewsberry for the men and Niele Ivey for the women. Each program faces a different challenge: the men’s team retained the majority of its core for 2025, while the women’s team saw high-profile departures including Olivia Miles and Kylee Watson.

Notre Dame is betting that Garrity’s experience at the highest levels of basketball will provide much-needed stability and innovation. He’s expected to influence everything from fundraising to analytics—and perhaps most critically, establish a sustainable NIL model that mirrors professional frameworks.

Garrity’s hiring signals more than just a commitment to competitiveness. It’s a declaration: Notre Dame intends to lead, not follow.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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