Digger Phelps Cancer: ESPN Analyst and Former Coach Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer

ESPN analyst and former Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Phelps has had surgery and will start follow-up treatment next week near his home in South Bend, Indiana.

In a statement last week, Phelps said that "he and his family appreciate your thoughts and prayers as he prepares for the 2013-2014 college basketball season." The 71-year old has been a mainstay figure for ESPN's college basketball coverage since 1993.

Phelps coached the Fighting Irish for a span of 20 years between 1972-1991. He owns a 419-200 coaching record with a .677 winning percentage in 619 career games, including a 26-3 record at Fordham during the 1970-71 season, his lone season away from Notre Dame.

Phelps has coached four consensus All-Americans and won three regular season conference championships. During his tenure, teams coached by Phelps reached the NCAA tournament 15 times, including one Final Four appearance in 1978.

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