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Former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps diagnosed with bladder cancer

Dick Vitale, Richard Phelps

Dick Vitale, left, and former Notre Dame coach Richard “Digger” Phelps talk on the set of College Gameday prior to an NCAA college basketball game between Louisville and Notre Dame on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)

AP

The college basketball world learned some bad news late Thursday, as ESPN announced that current analyst and former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Phelps has undergone surgery and will begin treatment near his home in South Bend, Ind. next week, according to the report.

In a brief statement, Phelps said that “he and his family appreciate your thoughts and prayers as he prepares for the 2013-2014 college basketball season.”

In 21 seasons as a head coach Phelps amassed a record of 419 wins and 198 losses, with 393 of the victories coming during his 20 seasons at Notre Dame. Among those victories are seven wins over top-ranked opponents, the most famous of which being Notre Dame’s 71-70 victory over UCLA on January 19, 1974.

Here’s to a speedy recovery.

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.