Muffet McGraw Joins ACC Network as Women’s Basketball Analyst

Decorated college basketball coach Muffet McGraw is joining the ESPN-owned ACC Network as a women’s basketball studio analyst, the network announced on Nov. 9 

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer will contribute to women’s basketball coverage throughout the 2020-21 season, debuting as part of the network’s “ACC Women’s Basketball Tipoff and Operation Basketball” programming the evenings of Nov. 11 and 12.

“Muffet McGraw is on the Mount Rushmore of women’s college basketball coaches and we are elated to have her join ACC Network. Along with her hall of fame pedigree Coach McGraw will bring to our studio shows informed perspective, in depth analysis, and insight that transcends beyond the court,” ACCN coordinating producer Aaron Katzman said in an announcement.

McGraw, 64, spent 33 seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame. There, she racked up 936 career wins, won NCAA titles in 2001 and 2018, took her team to the Final Four nine times and was named national coach of the year three times. She retired in April.

McGraw’s Fighting Irish teams picked up 14 regular season conference titles, 11 conference tournament championships and made seven trips to the NCAA Division I national championship game during her tenure. She also won seven conference Coach of the Year honors across five leagues — Notre Dame joined the ACC in 2013. 

McGraw has coached 20 WNBA players, including former No. 1 overall picks Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young. 

The ACC Network and digital platform ACCNX launched in August 2019 and feature regular season and tournament games from across the conference’s 27 sponsored sports, as well as news and informational shows, and original programming. ESPN has been televising ACC content since 1979 and has exclusive rights to every conference-controlled game across all sports and championships, the sports giant said.

“I am thrilled to be joining ACC Network,” McGraw said. “As a coach, I loved being part of the ACC and have always believed it is one of the best conferences in the country. I am thankful to be surrounded by a great studio team, including Kelsey Riggs, Kelly Gramlich and Monica McNutt to help me make a smooth transition from coach to analyst.”