Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Muffet McGraw will join the ACC Network. ESPN announced the hiring of the former Notre Dame coach on Monday. She will contribute to the network’s coverage of women’s basketball.
“Muffet McGraw is on the Mount Rushmore of women’s college basketball coaches and we are elated to have her join ACC Network,” ACC Network’s Aaron Katzman said in a press release. “Along with her hall of fame pedigree Coach McGraw will bring to our studio shows informed perspective, in depth analysis, and insight that transcends beyond the court.”
In 33 years at the helm of the Fighting Irish’s women’s basketball program, McGraw won two national titles, made it to the Final Four nine times, and was named coach of the year seven times across five different conferences. She retired in April after amassing 936 career wins.
One of her most memorable moments came late in her career at her press conference before the 2019 Women’s Final Four. Muffet McGraw was asked about how seriously she took her role as a vocal leader in women’s sports. She answered with statistics about women in leadership roles in politics and business across the country and advocated for head coaching roles in women’s basketball going to women at the same rate coaching roles in men’s basketball go to men.
“As a coach, I loved being part of the ACC and have always believed it is one of the best conferences in the country,” McGraw added, saying she was excited to make the leap to broadcasting. “I am thankful to be surrounded by a great studio team, including Kelsey Riggs, Kelly Gramlich and Monica McNutt to help me make a smooth transition from coach to analyst.”
