Notre Dame hired alumnus Pat Garrity on Tuesday to serve as general manager of the Fighting Irish men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The dual GM role is new at Notre Dame and is believed to be only the second such role — overseeing both men’s and women’s sports — in college athletics. Baker Dunleavy holds a similar position, created in 2023, for Villanova’s basketball programs.

Garrity, 48, will also oversee men’s basketball as its primary sports administrator.

Garrity graduated in 1998 and was drafted in the first round (19th overall) that year by the Milwaukee Bucks. He still ranks fifth in Notre Dame school history with 2,085 career points.

The 6-foot-9 forward spent 10 seasons in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns (1998-99) and Orlando Magic (1999-2008) and averaged 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 552 games (107 starts).

He was the assistant general manager of the Detroit Pistons from 2016-20.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Notre Dame,” Pat Garrity stated. “At every point in my career and life, Notre Dame has always been a second home for me and my family. The University has shaped who I am, and its values resonate deeply within me.

“… Thank you for your trust and for providing me with this amazing new opportunity. I can’t wait to begin serving our exceptional student-athletes in both programs and contributing to the broader mission of our athletic department and the University.”

The Notre Dame men’s team finished 15-18 (8-12 ACC) in 2024-25 under second-year coach Micah Shrewsberry, missing the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season.

The women’s team went 28-6 (16-2 ACC) last season under fifth-year coach Niele Ivey, reaching the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight season.

Garrity’s responsibilities include developing long-term strategies for roster management in the transfer portal era, as well as budget analysis, revenue generation, fundraising, alumni relations and facility management.

“We could not be more excited to welcome back Pat to Notre Dame,” athletic director Pete Bevacqua said. “With the pace of change in college sports, we knew we had to find someone that could support Micah and Niele with all that’s required of high-level basketball programs off the court, while they focused on coaching and supporting our amazing student-athletes.

“Being able to bring in someone like Pat, who’s a Notre Dame alumnus, former student-athlete, 10-year NBA veteran, former NBA front office executive and Notre Dame parent, made him the perfect candidate from the start.”

–Field Level Media