Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Is it Hale's final day as Notre Dame's coach?

Notre Dame boys basketball coach Paul Hale will step up to a microphone Wednesday afternoon and confirm that he will retire.

The school scheduled a news conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday to address rumors that have circulated for much of the season. Hale is expected to formally announce he's leaving the job he held for four seasons; he won his first state championship as a coach last week in Notre Dame's win over St. Charles West, and he'll finish his career just short of 600 wins.

Assistant coach Kevin Roberts is expected to be introduced as Hale's replacement.

Also drawing attention late Tuesday was speculation of Brian Brandtner's departure as Bell City's boys basketball coach. Brandtner just finished his third season at the school and led the Cubs deep into the Class 1 playoffs his two three seasons, although Bell City lost to Jefferson each year (both times in the championship). The Cubs lost to Scott County Central in this season's sectional round.

A message left on Brandtner's cell phone Tuesday hasn't been returned, and high school principal Matt Asher couldn't be reached at his home Tuesday night to confirm Brandtner's status.

Interestingly, Brandtner is a former assistant coach at Notre Dame. There's talk that his rumored departure from Bell City would make him a candidate at Notre Dame, although that doesn't appear likely.

Look for updates here on both the Bell City and Notre Dame coaching jobs tomorrow.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've mixed up some of your names. Nate Wills is the son of Bell City Superintendent, Rhonda Niemcyck, and is the head basketball coach at Kelly.

Anonymous said...

Matt Asher is the Principal at Bell City. Try calling him instead of Nate Wills.

Anonymous said...

Matt Asher is principal?

Anonymous said...

Yeah I know....pretty shocking.

Anonymous said...

Actually Brandtner has only been at BC for 3 seasons. Heeb was still the coach at BC when they lost to Jefferson in the Semifinals then placed 4th. DD Gillespie and Niemyczk were both freshman playing on that team. Brandtner came the next year and took them to the state championship two years in a row where they were beat both years again by Jefferson. This season they reached the Sectionals with Brandtner before losing.

Anonymous said...

Brandtner is still the coach at BC. He was hired back Monday night for next year. I can not say he will not leave BC for another school. Only Coach B can tell you all that.

JAMIE HALL said...

Not quite sure why I typed Nate Wills, but it should have said Matt Asher.

Anonymous said...

Any news on the press conference??

Anonymous said...

The rumor I heard was that he got fired when BC got wind that he was going to resign. Just what I heard, no facts though.

redhawk said...

Hale resigned and Kevin Roberts was announced as the new head coach. Hale gave a nice speech and even shed a tear or two. What a great job he did at Notre Dame these past four years. Roberts is very deserving of the position and I wish him the best of luck. He will have plenty of support. Notre Dame is very appreciative for everything Coach Hale has done in the past four years. He will remain at the school as the athletic director. Once again, thanks Coach.