Notre Dame Fighting Irish men’s basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry delivered a passionate defense of his team following a 15-point defeat to the Louisville Cardinals. After the Fighting Irish’s record fell to 11-14 overall and 5-9 in ACC play, Shrewsberry expressed his commitment to revitalizing the program, even striking the podium in frustration.
“I understand that many have given up on us,” he stated. “And that’s understandable. If you dislike me, that’s fine. If you think I’m not a good coach, I accept that. You’re entitled to your opinions. If you believe I should be fired, that’s your perspective.”
Despite the team’s challenging season and dim tournament prospects, Shrewsberry emphasized that the players would not abandon their efforts. “I believe in myself and in these guys. Don’t give up on these kids. What have they done to deserve that? If you’re not supporting us because of our losses, that’s your choice. But direct your frustration at me, not these players. They don’t deserve it.”
“I’m not concerned with others’ opinions. I know who I am and my coaching abilities. I am committed to turning this program around. If you’ve already given up on me, I don’t want to see you back. We’re going to get this thing moving forward.”
Shrewsberry succeeded Mike Brey, who departed Notre Dame after the 2022-23 season. Previously, he had a record of 37-31 as head coach at Penn State, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his second year. In his two seasons with Notre Dame, Shrewsberry has a record of 24-34.