Notre Dame Hires Skylar Diggins as Special Advisor
The former Irish star returns to South Bend to provide mentorship to players and support the coaching staff.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball
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Notre Dame has officially brought back basketball legend Skylar Diggins to serve as a special advisor to head coach Niele Ivey. Diggins will support the coaching staff and mentor players throughout the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters
The addition of Diggins provides the program with elite professional experience as they look to build on their current standing. Her presence strengthens the connection between the program and one of its most accomplished alumni.
During her standout collegiate career, Diggins recorded 2,357 total points, 745 assists, 557 rebounds, and 381 steals over 150 games played. She additionally brings five USA Basketball gold medals to her advisory position.
The players
Skylar Diggins
She is a seven-time WNBA All-Star and former Notre Dame basketball standout who holds five USA Basketball gold medals.
Niele Ivey
She serves as the head coach of the Notre Dame women's basketball team.
The details
Diggins will operate as an outside consultant, exclusively offering advice to coach Niele Ivey and the team's four assistant coaches. She is strictly prohibited from providing on-court instruction and will focus her efforts on mentoring players in off-court settings.
Timeline
Skylar Diggins won a Class 4A state title with Washington High in 2007.
Diggins led Notre Dame to three consecutive Final Four appearances from 2011 to 2013.
Diggins will attend home and away Irish games during the 2026-27 season.
The advisory role concludes in early January 2027 when the Unrivaled season begins.
Season Trajectory
This move integrates high-level professional expertise into the current team, which holds a national ranking of 13. Her mentorship is designed to provide a competitive edge for the program as it navigates the rigors of the full 2026-27 season.
Fans will see Diggins on the sidelines for all home and away games throughout the 2026-27 season. Her role is limited to off-court mentorship and staff consultation, meaning there will be no impact on active on-court player rotations or coaching duties.
The takeaway
Diggins brings a wealth of professional experience back to her alma mater to support student-athletes. Her transition into a non-instructional mentorship role highlights the value of alumni involvement in developing collegiate talent.
What happens next
Diggins' tenure as a special advisor will conclude in early January 2027 to coincide with the start of the Unrivaled season.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments for the team in the Basketball section.
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Should college sports programs hire former players as non-coaching advisors to mentor current student-athletes?
