Notre Dame assistant Sean Kearney takes over as Holy Cross coach

Holy Cross names Sean Kearney coach

WORCESTER, Mass. — Sean Kearney is the new basketball coach at Holy Cross.

The former Notre Dame assistant was named Thursday to succeed Ralph Willard, who resigned last month after 10 seasons to become Rick Pitino’s associate head coach at Louisville.

Kearney, 49, spent the last nine seasons as Mike Brey’s associate head coach, serving as national recruiting coordinator. In those years, the Irish were 188-101 and reached the postseason every year. Holy Cross is Kearney’s first head coaching position.

Before going to Notre Dame, he spent nine seasons on the Delaware staff under Brey and Steve Steinwedel.