Head coach of Duke’s men’s basketball team, Mike Krzyzewski has officially announced after his 42nd season (2021-22) he will retire. Assistant head coach and 2010 National Champion Jon Scheyer will be his successor and the Blue Devils’ official coach-in-waiting. This news comes after there have been anonymous reports of Coach K speaking with recruits about his long term plans past this season.
The leader of 5 National Championships and all-time winningest coach in Division 1 basketball history, Krzyzewski and Duke University reportedly have been quietly speaking with coaching candidates about a possible replacement. That list included Tommy Amaker (Harvard head coach and former Duke point guard), and Duke great Johnny Dawkins. Coach K took over at Duke on March 18, 1980 after serving as head coach at his alma mater West Point for 5 seasons.
Mike Krzyzewski resume includes:
- 5 time National championships
- 12 ACC Tournament Champion
- 3 Time Naismith coach of the year (’89,’92,’99)
- 12 Final Four Appearances (14 Final Four wins)
- 1,170 All Time Wins (Most Ever)
- 12 ACC Regular Season Titles
- 97 NCAA Tournament wins (2nd all-time)
- 3 time Olympic Gold Medals (’08,’12,’16); 1 as an assistant of 1992 Dream Team
- 35 NCAA Tourney Appearances
- 28 NBA lottery picks
- 41 NBA First round picks
This is certainly a changing of the guard in college basketball. The impact Coach K has had on College basketball is second to none. This Farewell tour for Mike Krzyzewski will be one for the ages. If this is indeed K’s last season, appreciate the greatness he has contributed to college basketball, on and off the court, because there will never be a GOAT like Coach K.