Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw steps down

SOUTH BEND -- The University of Notre Dame's legendary women's basketball coach is calling it a career.

Muffet McGraw, one of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball, announced her retirement Wednesday.

In 33-seasons at Notre Dame, McGraw's teams won 842 games, two national championships and nine trips to the final four.

"It has been a great honor to represent the University of Notre Dame these past 33-years, but the time has come for me to step down as your head basketball coach," McGraw said in a statement issued by the university.

She will be replaced by her former assistant, Niele Ivey, who spent 17-years at Notre Dame before joining the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies this past season.

After so much success, including the 2018 NCAA Championship, McGraw's inexperienced 2019-20 team finished 13-18, Notre Dame's first losing season since 1992.

McGraw, who is 64, came to South Bend in 1987 after five seasons at Lehigh. In all, she won 936 games. 20 of her players went on to the WNBA.

"I am proud of what we have accomplished and I can turn the page to the next chapter in my life with no regrets, knowing that I gave it my best every day," McGraw said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.