Coach K On Duke Succession Plan: ‘I Would Want It To Be A Member Of Our Family’


Coach K discussed his Duke succession plan with The Seth Davis Show, stating his hope that faculty would bring in a member of the Blue Devil family.


With Mike Krzyzewski taking the second extended leave of absence during his storied career, questions of a succession plan have expectedly arisen. When will the Duke head coach step down? Who is fit to replace such a legend?

As for the first question, Coach K has offered little insight. Krzyzewski did, however, open up on the second when speaking with The Seth Davis Show.

“I would want it to be a member of our family, and we have so many good coaches.” Coach K said. “My infrastructure here is fantastic. We’ve built a very solid team.”

Krzyzewski isn’t dabbling with hyperbole when saying that Duke has produced “so many good coaches.” If anything, he’s underselling the coaching tree that has blossomed over his 37 years. Names like Mike Brey, Tommy Amaker, Chris Collins, Johnny Dawkins, Steve Wojciechowski and Quin Snyder have shared the bench alongside Coach K. Currently, Jeff Capel is standing in for the Blue Devils while Krzyzewski is on the shelf.

Whenever the time for a transition comes about, Coach K will gladly help usher in a new era of Duke basketball. Though the Blue Devil faithful can rest easy knowing the figurehead will never leave the Triangle.

“Whoever it would be, I will help. I’ll have to move out of my office, but I’m not moving away from Durham. I’m never going to leave Duke.”

And if the new regime seeks a clean break from the past, will Coach K be able to fully remove himself from the spotlight?

“I’ll do everything that person would want me to do to help him, including stay out of the way.”

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