Notre Dame is an age-old championship contender of UConn. It was there when a young Geno Auriemma made his mark in the Women’s NCAA Championship and it’s still here after he has become one of the winningest coaches in the NCAA. This is all due to the legacy of head coach Muffet McGraw that Head Coach Niele Ivey has been carrying.

Coach Ivey, who came into the league as the fourth endowed Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach, had an arduous task of transforming the Fighting Irish into one that matched her own style yet continued winning. And amid the success, Ivey’s journey has shaped her family’s and vice versa.

From family roots to future stars: Niele Ivey’s legacy

This transition which began in April of 2020, was built on her time as a player in Notre Dame where she led her team to two Final Four appearances and became an integral part of seven others (Final Four appearances) as an assistant coach. This 20-year career of hers on the Notre Dame campus has cemented her name in the program’s history as one of the best coaches ever.

Since stepping into her current role, she has led Notre Dame to an impressive 89-32 record, claiming an ACC Tournament title and three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. In fact, the 2022-23 season epitomized Ivey’s resilience and vision as her team weathered injuries to key players, including stars like Olivia Miles, yet still triumphed with a 28-7 record and an eight-game winning streak.

However, Ivey’s journey as a trailblazer began when she briefly left her alma mater to join the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant coach in 2019. This would make her one of only nine active female coaches in the NBA at the time, while she worked closely with emerging stars like Ja Morant. Her career would have a profound impact on her son, Jaden Ivey.

As a mother to the Detroit Pistons’ rising star, she shares a unique bond with her son through their shared love of basketball. “I learned about the game being around her, every day, going to the gym, how to work, how to study … [I] learned all that from her,” Jaden said to NBA.com. He would go on to be selected fifth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Two peas in a pod

Niele Livey was in WNBA when she was pregnant with Jaden. She would keep it a secret due to the stigma around it, more so, considering she was only in her rookie season. She braved through the summer, she says, scared and nervous. But once she gave birth, there was no separating the three — Niele, Jaden, and basketball.

“It was Jaden and I, him being with me at work and me supporting him with all of his activities, school and sports,” the Notre Dame HC told NBA.com. “Two peas in a pod, always together.” 

So Jaden just grew around basketball, played the game himself, and succeeded rather well. Across two years at Purdue, he averaged, 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. He would then be drafted by the Pistons and made his Summer League debut with 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists. “Oh man, this is everything, I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. I’m just so happy.” Jaden once told ESPN while highlighting his mother’s impact on his life as a mentor, mother, and coach.

However, while Jaden’s game majorly was influenced and inspired by his mother, his athletic genes also come from his father.

More athletes in the family

Niele’s journey is further intertwined with a legacy of athletic excellence through Javin Hunter, her former partner, who she met during her time at Notre Dame and later went on to become a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

Hunter himself hails from a family steeped in sports, with his father, James Hunter, having played as an All-Pro defensive back for the Detroit Lions. Together, they passed on a legacy of perseverance and passion that has shaped Jaden’s rise to prominence. Hunter wanted his son to take up football as well, but being raised by a single mother with an established presence in basketball, it was no surprise he leaned towards it.

At Notre Dame, Ivey has built a program that marries athletic excellence with community impact. Her teams consistently rank among the nation’s best in scoring, assists, and shooting percentage, reflecting the same offensive brilliance she displayed as a player.

Niele Iveys, a guiding figure not just to her son

Her leadership in fact extends beyond the court too as evidenced by her successful recruitment of top talent, in fact in 2023, Ivey was the only coach to sign three top-20 recruits, including Hannah Hidalgo, the ACC Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year.

This has earned her considerable praise from her predecessor the legendary Muffet McGraw who stated in an interview, “What sets Niele apart is her ability to connect with all generations—alums, her current team, and future student-athletes, She will represent Notre Dame in a way that will make our fans proud.”

But Ivey’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Her mentorship has shaped the careers of stars like Skylar Diggins, Jewell Loyd, and Arike Ogunbowale. Diggins, who transitioned to point guard under Ivey’s guidance, once said, in her interview, “She was always there to guide me and push me to be better.” Ogunbowale, another Ivey protégé, became a household name after her back-to-back buzzer-beaters secured the 2018 national title, cementing her place in Notre Dame lore.

Despite her immense success, Ivey remains grounded in her mission to empower the next generation of athletes. Her commitment to recruiting top talent and fostering an environment of growth ensures Notre Dame remains a powerhouse in women’s basketball. As former head coach Muffet McGraw said in 2020, “Niele is a fantastic role model and a leader in the women’s empowerment movement.”

Niele Ivey’s journey is far from over. With every victory and every life she touches, she cements her place as one of the most influential figures in basketball—on and off the court.