Coaching, Tradition, Academics Helps Notre Dame Stand Out With Trey Galloway

After receiving an offer from Notre Dame last month, Trey Galloway returned to South Bend a week later to see the Irish in a win over Binghamton.

The 2020 Indiana guard had made multiple trips to Notre Dame in the past and once again was impressed.

“We always enjoy watching them play,” Galloway’s father and head coach at Culver Academies, Mark Galloway told Irish Sports Daily.

Coach Galloway added that he believes Irish head coach Mike Brey “does an outstanding job.”

“He’s had some tough luck, the Irish have had some really tough luck with injuries,” Coach Galloway added. “We’ve noticed when guys have stepped in.

“I just think that entire coaching staff does an outstanding job of Next Man Up. You notice that they’re prepared and just had some tough luck.”

As a coach himself, Galloway liked what he saw.

“I’m really impressed, being a high school coach, to see the guys are prepared,” he said. “They play a really good schedule in that conference. That’s very attractive.”

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Galloway had his eye on the Irish even before they extended the offer.

“Notre Dame, their reputation academically and athletically speaks for itself,” his father said. “I think Trey said it does parallel with what Culver is in terms of excellence. Just knowing the reputation of Culver Military Academy and knowing the reputation of Notre Dame is very attractive.”

Brey extended the offer after getting a chance to see Galloway play in person.

“Coach Brey said, ‘I didn’t realize he’s 6-5 and 200 pounds,’” Coach Galloway recalled. “He’s still growing. I think that’s exciting too. In the Big Ten and ACC, when you’re bigger, it’s just better.

“Can you guard guys in the ACC? That’s a big question for any kid.”

Brey was also impressed by Galloway’s athleticism, including an alley-oop dunk.

“He said, ‘Man, I didn’t see that coming,’” Coach Galloway laughed.

Galloway also has offers from schools like Michigan State, Iowa and Butler among others. The Galloways have made plenty of visits over the last several months, including stops in East Lansing, Iowa City, West Lafayette and Bloomington, but as their own season enters the stretch run, unofficial visits will likely be on pause for a bit.

“As a high school coach and with Trey, you’re a junior in high school and your main focus is to do the same thing with our process, which is to trust the process and keep getting better,” Coach Galloway said. “We want to win another a state championship, but before that happens, we have to take it one day at a time and get better every day in practice. The great thing about our program is that’s our main focus, just getting better every day and getting ready for March.”

Culver plays an extremely competitive schedule, so focus will be key in accomplishing those goals. But when the season is finished, expect Galloway to turn his attention back to recruiting.

“I think it’s all about building relationships with those coaches and those coaching staffs,” Coach Galloway said.

In addition to Brey, Notre Dame assistant Rod Balanis has helped create a strong bond with the Galloways.

“Coach Balanis does an incredible job of reaching out and recruiting. I know he’s been with Coach Brey since he’s been there. That stability and familiarity with the program, that’s been pretty cool.”