Brey excited about team, anxious about coaching staff

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -

Notre Dame Men's Basketball Coach Mike Brey says he knows what to expect from his team when Notre Dame opens their season against Bryant Saturday. It's his staff he's most anxious about. 

"It's going to be a work in progress with us. Ryan and Ryan getting comfortable with me, telling me, 'coach you need to talk to this guy,' right before a timeout," Brey said.

Ryan Ayers and Ryan Humphrey join Brey's staff this year, both having played for Brey during his time in South Bend. Ayers graduated in 2009, Humphrey in 2002. Brey likes the energy both bring and still have a little playing spark left in them.

"I'll walk into the gym 10 minutes before practice and catch them playing 1 on 1, and it gets intense," Brey said. "And then we'll get into practice and they'll still be arguing about who won."

Rod Balanis, entering his 16th season with the Irish, remains the lone coach to be with Brey during his entire tenure at Notre Dame.  

Share this article: