Even as he is being wooed by Maryland to replace Gary Williams, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey is working on an extension with the Irish, according to a report.
Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune, citing a source, wrote that Brey “has a contract extension in the works to remain with the Irish.”
Brey’s last extension reportedly came in July 2008.
Still, legendary former high school coach Morgan Wootten, Brey’s former boss at DeMatha (Md.) Catholic, said Brey would consider Maryland.
“He certainly loves Notre Dame and feels good about the direction of the program,” Wootten told the South Bend Tribune. “But he is a Maryland guy. If they called, I think he’d have to give it deep consideration.
“It is home.”
Brey is reportedly on a short list of candidates to replace Williams, who announced his retirement Wednesday. Rick Barnes (Texas), Anthony Grant (Alabama), Sean Miller (Arizona), Brad Stevens (Butler) and Jay Wright (Villanova) have also been linked to the job.
Brey, the Big East and National Coach of the Year this past season, has deep ties to the Maryland area.
Brey, 52, graduated DeMatha Catholic High School and later coached under Wootten. He graduated George Washington University and his family owns a vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., the Tribune reported. His family also once owned Maryland men’s basketball season tickets.
“If there ever was another job that came open for him to look at, it would be Maryland,” Wootten told the South Bend Tribune. “It’s just such an obvious thing for him. It’s just going to be a matter of if all the cards fell into place.”
Still, Wootten also told Hamilton: “As long as Notre Dame is really taking good care of him… all should be well.”
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