Notre Dame Appoints Alum Pat Garrity to Trailblazing Dual General Manager Role
Notre Dame has made a groundbreaking move in college athletics, appointing 1998 alumnus and former NBA player Pat Garrity as the general manager for both its men’s and women’s basketball programs. This dual role, unprecedented in college basketball, also positions Garrity as the primary sports administrator for the men’s team. At 48, Garrity joins a select group, with only Villanova’s Baker Dunleavy holding a comparable position.
This appointment comes at a pivotal time for Notre Dame basketball. The men’s team, after a three-year slump marked by sub-.500 seasons under Micah Shrewsberry, following Mike Brey’s 23-year tenure, is seeking a resurgence. Garrity’s leadership is expected to provide the necessary impetus for positive change. In contrast, the women’s program boasts a strong track record, consistently achieving Sweet 16 appearances and averaging 26.8 wins per season under Coach Niele Ivey.
Garrity’s experience extends beyond his impressive playing career. His tenure as an assistant general manager with the Detroit Pistons (2016-2020) provides valuable insight into roster management at the highest level. At Notre Dame, he will effectively serve as the “president of basketball operations,” supporting both programs comprehensively. His responsibilities will encompass diverse aspects, including leveraging the transfer portal for roster building, identifying promising high school recruits, navigating the evolving revenue-sharing landscape in college athletics, and collaborating with Notre Dame’s NIL office to establish equitable compensation for all basketball players.
This holistic approach, involving both men’s and women’s teams under a single administrator, sets Notre Dame apart. While Garrity will not be directly involved in on-the-road recruiting, his strategic input will be crucial in shaping the future of both programs. He will play a key role in balancing the recruitment of high school talent with the strategic utilization of the transfer portal, while also prioritizing player retention.
The selection of Garrity, a highly decorated Notre Dame alumnus and NBA veteran, reflects the university’s commitment to excellence and its forward-thinking approach to athletic administration. His deep understanding of roster management, coupled with his intimate knowledge of Notre Dame, makes him uniquely suited to lead both programs into a new era of success. His appointment signals a bold step for Notre Dame, particularly given the upcoming NCAA landscape changes and the need for strategic financial management.
