Micah Shrewsberry has outburst after Notre Dame basketball's loss to Louisville
Micah Shrewsberry didn't hold back any frustration following Notre Dame men's basketball's 75-60 loss to Louisville on Sunday.
On a night where they were held to 36.4% shooting from the field, the Fighting Irish dropped their fourth loss — and second consecutive home loss — in their last five games, falling to 5-9 in ACC play.
Shrewsberry's frustrations led to a fiery rant inside the media room at the Purcell Pavilion — one that ended with swatting away a local TV station’s wireless microphone stand.
But Shrewsberry's frustration didn't seem to be directed to his team's performance, but instead the turnout by Notre Dame fans at the game. As noted by the South Bend Tribune, there was an announced 5,437 fans at Sunday's game at Purcell Pavilion, "though the actual attendance number may have been closer to 4,500."
"I watched more Louisville fans in here than Notre Dame people. And that's embarrassing. Because I'm the head coach here," Shrewsberry said. "And yes, I got us in this predicament. But don't come back when we're winning, because we're turning this around. You better believe that.
"Everybody that gave up on me, believe it. Write this date down and believe it because we're going to get this thing rolling."
As for what sparked Shrewsberry's outburst, it was a question about how the last few weeks have gone within the Notre Dame program. On Jan. 28, Notre Dame was 10-10 and coming off back-to-back wins against Virginia and Georgia Tech.
Since then, the Irish have fallen to 11-14, which included losses to Florida State and Virginia Tech, who are just above Notre Dame in the ACC standings, and last-place Miami. Following Sunday's loss to Louisville, Notre Dame has only won four of its last 13 games.
"A lot of people have quit on us and well deserved. If you hate me, absolutely man great. If you think I suck, if you think I can't coach, I'm with you, man. Good, good for you because you're allowed to have opinions. If you think I should be fired, good for you. You're allowed to have opinions, right?" Shrewsberry said at the start of his outburst.
"A lot of people have given up on this team. They've given up on me. I don't really give a damn. I believe in myself and I believe in these guys. OK. So don't give up on these guys. Don't give up on these kids. You don't want to show up because of me. Don't show up because of me, because you think I suck. Cool. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with it. I know people believe in me. I know people at Notre Dame believe in me. But don't give up on these kids, man."
Toward the end of his rant, Shrewsberry said if fans don't watch Notre Dame because it's losing, that's "fine" — but do it because of him and not his players because "they don't deserve that."
"I don't care about anybody's opinion. I know who I am. I know I can coach basketball and I know I'm turning this program around. So you gave up on me already? I don't want to see you back here. I don't give a damn. Don't give up on these kids."
Since taking over for Mike Brey at Notre Dame ahead of the 2023-24 season, Shrewsberry has compiled a 24-34 overall record and 12-22 record in ACC play. The Irish were eliminated in the second round of the ACC Tournament last year and are currently sitting in 13th place of the ACC standings at 5-9.
Notre Dame (11-14, 5-9) hosts SMU (19-6, 10-4) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Purcell Pavilion.