Special K

Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski became only the 6th coach in college basketball history to win 800 career games. After guiding his team to a 87-86 win over North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon, Coach K joined Bob Knight, Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Jim Phelan, and Eddie Sutton as the only Division I coaches to win 800. He trails only Sutton amongst active coaches in terms of career wins. The Creatures will pay their respects to Coach K's legendary milestone by looking back on the coach's fine career.

Michael William Krzyzewski, a son of Polish immigrants, was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 13th, 1947. Krzyzewski chose to attend West Point, where he played basketball while training to become an Army officer. During his senior year, Krzyzewski led the Cadets to the semi-finals of the 1969 National Invitation Tournament, where his team eventually lost to Boston College. In 1974, Krzyzewski was offered an assistant coaching job at Indiana by his former coach at Army, Bob Knight. Krzyzewski spent a year at Indiana, and helped Knight lead the Hoosiers to a 31-1 record and an Elite Eight appearance. After one year at Indiana, Krzyzewski returned to his alma mater to help build the basketball program at West Point. During his five years with Army, he led the Cadets to two NIT berths and left with a career record of 73-59. In 1980, Krzyzewski took over the Duke program and has been the head coach since.

Krzyzewski's tenure at Duke has been remarkable to say the least. Coach K has led the Blue Devils to 11 ACC regular-season tittles (1986, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006) and 10 ACC tournament titles (1986, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006). He has taken the Blue Devils to 10 Final Four appearances (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2004) and won the title on 3 occasions (1991, 1992, 2001). With 68 NCAA tournament wins, Krzyzewski is the winningest coach in the history of the event. Besides the statistical accolades, Coach K has been honored with multiple coaching awards. He has been named the Naismith College Coach of the Year four times, the NABC National Coach of the Year once, and the ACC Coach of the Year 5 times. In 2001, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2001, Time Magazine and CNN named Krzyzewski "America's Best Coach", an award that was not limited to any particular sport. In 2004, Krzyzewski was given the Claire Bee Award, an award given to the coach who made the most significant positive contribution to his sport during the preceding year. Coach K has totaled a record of 727-205 during his time at Duke, and a career record of 800-265.

Besides all the statistical achievements and coaching accolades that Coach K has garnered over his 32 year career in college basketball, he has also become on of the most respected figures in sports. He has become an active community leader and philanthropist. In 2005, he and his family opened the Emily Krzyzewski Family LIFE Center, a community center named in honor of his late mother. He was named the head coach of the United States Men's Olympic Basketball team, who will compete in the Beijing games come this summer. It has been said by players and coaches alike that no one's presence but Krzyzewski's could have commanded the respect of a roster filled with NBA superstars. Duke has honored Coach K's achievements and presence on campus by naming the floor at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Coach "K" Court in his honor. Similarly, the grassy area outside of Cameron has been named Krzyzewskiville or "K-Ville". On February 28th, 2007, Duke named its new basketball practice facility the Michael W. Krzyzewski Center.

It can be said the Michael William Krzyzewski is the greatest college basketball coach of all time. Yes, John Wooden has the most championships and Bob Knight has the most wins. But what Krzyzewski has accomplished on and off the court is incredible. Whether he is or isn't the best coach ever is open for debate. But what everyone can agree on, Duke fans and college basketball fans alike, is that Krzyzewski has become one of the most important and influential figures in the history of college basketball. We can only hope that he continues to grace us with his presence on the sideline in the years to come. Congratulations Coach K!

Comments

[EARL BANKS]

Former all american basketball player has a recruitment letter from coach K while he was at West Point.