BREAKING NEWS: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Basketball Hit with Another Devastating Blow
March 10, 2025 – South Bend, IN – Just when it seemed things couldn’t get worse for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team, another devastating blow has rocked the program. In an unprecedented turn of events, head coach Niele Ivey has announced that she is taking a leave of absence effective immediately, citing personal reasons and mental exhaustion after the team’s recent struggles.
The shocking news comes on the heels of two brutal season-ending injuries to star players Ava Callahan (ACL) and Olivia Carter (wrist), as well as the unexpected departure of freshman phenom Kiara Johnson, who entered the transfer portal just yesterday. Now, with March Madness looming, the Irish are left without their head coach, their two best players, and a rising star who was supposed to be their future.
“I love this team, and this decision was not made lightly,” Ivey said in an emotional statement. “The last few weeks have taken a toll on me personally and professionally. Right now, I need to step away to focus on my health and well-being.”
An Unraveling Season
What started as a promising championship campaign has spiraled into one of the most disastrous stretches in program history. Once ranked #3 in the nation, Notre Dame now finds itself in turmoil, with questions swirling about how the team will move forward.
Assistant coach Coquese Washington has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season, but sources inside the program describe the mood as somber and uncertain. Players are said to be devastated by Ivey’s decision, with many struggling to process the series of misfortunes that have hit the team in such a short span.
“This is beyond heartbreaking,” said senior guard Jasmine Reid. “Coach Ivey is like a second mother to us. We just have to rally together now and play for her.”
Can the Irish Survive March Madness?
With Selection Sunday just days away, Notre Dame’s tournament fate is now completely up in the air. What once looked like a clear path to a No. 1 seed is now filled with doubt. Can the Irish overcome these insurmountable odds, or has this season officially slipped away?
One thing is certain—the Fighting Irish have never faced a storm quite like this.
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