Richard “Digger” Phelps is a distinguished former college basketball coach, best known for his impactful tenure with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1971 to 1991. Phelps began his coaching career in 1963 as a graduate assistant at Rider College, where he had previously played. He quickly advanced to a full assistant role at the University of Pennsylvania and then took his first head coaching position at Fordham University. Under his leadership, Fordham achieved a remarkable 24–2 record in the 1970–71 season, earning a spot in the NCAA tournament and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

In May 1971, Phelps was appointed head coach at Notre Dame, where he would leave an indelible mark on the program. Over two decades, he led the Fighting Irish to a 393–197 record, including 14 seasons with 20 or more wins. His most notable achievement came in 1978 when Notre Dame made its only Final Four appearance to date. Phelps is celebrated for orchestrating one of college basketball’s greatest upsets, defeating top-ranked UCLA in 1974, which ended the Bruins’ 88-game winning streak.

Transitioning to broadcasting, Phelps joined ESPN in 1993, where he served as a college basketball analyst until 2014. His insightful commentary and deep understanding of the game made him a respected figure in sports media. Phelps announced his departure from ESPN during a College GameDay broadcast, reflecting on his two decades of coaching and broadcasting as a fulfilling journey.

Beyond his coaching and broadcasting career, Phelps has contributed to community initiatives, notably restoring sports programs at John McDonogh High School in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. His commitment to education is evident, as all 56 players he coached at Notre Dame graduated. Phelps remains a beloved figure in college basketball, celebrated for his contributions both on and off the court.