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	Tuesday, July 18 Brey accepts Irish offer
	Associated Press SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Before the coaching dominoes even started falling, Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White had an inkling he might need a new coach. Mike Brey had a feeling then it would be him. Brey said when he read in the newspaper July 7 that Kansas coach Roy Williams turned down the North Carolina job, Brey had "a gut feeling." "I turned to my wife Tish and said, 'Get ready for South Bend,"' he said. Exactly one week later, Brey arrived in Notre Dame on Friday to be introduced as the Irish coach, a job he interviewed for a year earlier and was passed over in favor of Matt Doherty. Brey, 99-52 in five years at Delaware, said he was offered other coaching jobs, but Notre Dame was the only job he was interested in. "I've been in love with two coaching jobs in my five years as a head coach, and that's Notre Dame twice," he said. Several hundred Irish season-ticket holders attended the news conference at which Brey was introduced, and he looked like a winning politician on election night, raising his fist in victory and urging the crowd on. "All I can say is, 'Wow, we're here," he said. "I am just thrilled to be part of this great, great institution." Brey said when Williams didn't jump at the North Carolina job immediately, he knew the job could eventually fall to Doherty, who had played for the Tar Heels. So on July 5, White began talking to people about a possible replacement. He started with a list of 10 names. When Doherty accepted the North Carolina job Tuesday, White quickly whittled the list to three. White, who was hired in March, attended a welcoming reception in his honor Tuesday, then set off in search of a coach. Media reports said he flew Wednesday to Rome to meet with former NBA and Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo, who is in Europe on his honeymoon, then flew to Washington, D.C., where he met with Oregon coach Ernie Kent and Brey on Thursday. White wouldn't say who he interviewed or whether he went to Rome, except to say: "I've been everywhere, but I haven't been to bed." Mike Brey cheers on the Notre Dame crowd as he's introduced as the new Irish coach. Brey and another candidate met with a three-member committee from Notre Dame on Thursday. The university declined to identify the other candidate, but Dent confirmed he met with school officials. Brey was offered the job about 1 a.m. Friday. White said Brey was the only person offered the job. Neither White nor Brey would comment on terms of the contract, except to say it was long term. The Wilmington (Del.) News Journal reported on its Web site that it was a seven-year contract. Brey had just signed a five-year contract extension at Delaware after guiding the Blue Hens to their third consecutive 20-victory season and the school's first NIT bid. He also guided the Blue Hens to consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Brey, 41, worked previously as an assistant to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, helping guide the Blue Devils to six Final Fours in an eight-year span. "What a perfect fit! Mike has the background that is totally suited for the level of success that Notre Dame wants and deserves," Krzyzewski said. "He and his family will be absolutely terrific in representing Notre Dame." Brey said his goal is to get the Irish into the NCAA Tournament, a feat the school hasn't achieved in 11 seasons. "I remember footage of this group when they didn't get the NCAA bid last season. On selection Sunday, we've got to be high-fiving instead of hanging our heads," he said. The Irish, who lost in the NIT final last season, return four starters, including Troy Murphy, a first-team All-American and Big East player of the year. Brey said although now is prime recruiting time, his first priority is to stay in town and get to know the players. Ryan Humphrey, a transfer from Oklahoma who sat out last season, said the players are happy the search is over. "I wish coach Doherty the best, but now it's coach Brey's team, and it's time to move on," Humphrey said.		ALSO SEE Bilas: Irish eyes should smile over Brey Weekly Word: Not so fast, early signers Oregon's Kent says 'no' to Notre Dame Katz: UNC obliges Doherty's demand Katz: One tree, but no forest North Carolina hires Notre Dame's Doherty Division I coaching changes AUDIO/VIDEO  ESPN.com's Andy Katz breaks down Mike Brey being named coach at Notre Dame. avi: 250 k RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1  An excited Mike Brey is ready to take Notre Dame to the next level. wav: 257 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6