Saturday’s win over Presbyterian was No. 902 for Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, but that total includes the five seasons he spent at Army.At Duke, Krzyzewski has 829 wins, the first of which was an uneven 67-49 grinder against Stetson.That game occurred on Nov. 30, 1980, and it’s safe to assume no one in the Cameron Indoor Stadium could have imagined the incredible success that would ensue. Krzyzewski didn’t. “Those first three seasons we won only 38 games,” he said after the 96-55 rout of the Blue Hose. “We’ve had seasons when we won almost that many.”
But that first season actually went a little smoother than some Krzyzewski doubters had predicted.Thanks to Kenny Dennard, Gene Banks and Tom Emma, the original Coach K Devils won their share (17-13, 6-8 ACC), knocked off No. 13 Maryland in mid-season and then stunned No. 10 North Carolina in the last regular-season game. They lost close to Maryland in the ACC Tournament, but landed an NIT bid and won a couple of times before being stopped at Purdue.Krzyzewski recalled Saturday that he got the job after three interviews and accepted without knowing what he would get paid.“I wasn’t worried about that, I just knew I wanted the job,” he said.But after his second and third Duke teams went a combined 21-34 (7-21 ACC), the magic almost ended before it had a chance to take root.A determined posse of Duke fans did their best to force then-athletic director Tom Butters into making a change. Butters stood firm. The coach’s fourth Duke team then went 24-10 and the seemingly endless run of championships took flight.
“Thank goodness for President (Terry) Sanford and Tom Butters and those who saw fit to have faith in me. I’ll always remember that,” Krzyzewski said.
The chance to pass Bob Knight on the all-time win list will come Tuesday against Michigan State in New York.
Just as he did before the game against Belmont on Friday and then Presbyterian less than 24 hours later, Krzyzewski will be “antsy” on game day and battle butterflies as tip time nears.“I’ve had that feeling before every game I’ve ever coached,” he said. “I think when you start losing it then it’s probably a good time to say ‘See ya.’”Krzyzewski isn’t losing interest or energy.He was off the bench and yelling Saturday on the game-opening jump-ball when the official’s toss was at least three feet wide of the center circle.“That’s just coach. He’s all in for every game,” guard Andre Dawkins said. “He coached just as hard tonight as he will when we play Michigan State. That’s what makes him what he is.”
But that first season actually went a little smoother than some Krzyzewski doubters had predicted.Thanks to Kenny Dennard, Gene Banks and Tom Emma, the original Coach K Devils won their share (17-13, 6-8 ACC), knocked off No. 13 Maryland in mid-season and then stunned No. 10 North Carolina in the last regular-season game. They lost close to Maryland in the ACC Tournament, but landed an NIT bid and won a couple of times before being stopped at Purdue.Krzyzewski recalled Saturday that he got the job after three interviews and accepted without knowing what he would get paid.“I wasn’t worried about that, I just knew I wanted the job,” he said.But after his second and third Duke teams went a combined 21-34 (7-21 ACC), the magic almost ended before it had a chance to take root.A determined posse of Duke fans did their best to force then-athletic director Tom Butters into making a change. Butters stood firm. The coach’s fourth Duke team then went 24-10 and the seemingly endless run of championships took flight.
“Thank goodness for President (Terry) Sanford and Tom Butters and those who saw fit to have faith in me. I’ll always remember that,” Krzyzewski said.
The chance to pass Bob Knight on the all-time win list will come Tuesday against Michigan State in New York.
Just as he did before the game against Belmont on Friday and then Presbyterian less than 24 hours later, Krzyzewski will be “antsy” on game day and battle butterflies as tip time nears.“I’ve had that feeling before every game I’ve ever coached,” he said. “I think when you start losing it then it’s probably a good time to say ‘See ya.’”Krzyzewski isn’t losing interest or energy.He was off the bench and yelling Saturday on the game-opening jump-ball when the official’s toss was at least three feet wide of the center circle.“That’s just coach. He’s all in for every game,” guard Andre Dawkins said. “He coached just as hard tonight as he will when we play Michigan State. That’s what makes him what he is.”
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