History of Mike Krzyzewski in Timeline

Mike Krzyzewski, known as Coach K, is a celebrated former college basketball coach. He led Duke University from 1980 to 2022, achieving remarkable success. His accomplishments include five national championships, 13 Final Four appearances, 15 ACC Tournament titles, and 13 ACC regular-season titles. Considered one of the greatest college basketball coaches ever, only John Wooden has more NCAA championships. Krzyzewski's impact on the sport and his legacy at Duke are undeniable.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 13, 1947: Michael William Krzyzewski Born

On February 13, 1947, Michael William Krzyzewski, later nicknamed "Coach K", was born. He would become a highly successful college basketball coach.

1966: Krzyzewski Played Point Guard at Army

In 1966, Krzyzewski began playing point guard at Army under coach Bob Knight.

1968: Krzyzewski Leads Cadets to NIT

In 1968, Krzyzewski was the captain of the Army basketball team, leading the Cadets to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in New York City.

1969: Krzyzewski Served in the U.S. Army

From 1969, Krzyzewski served as an officer in the U.S. Army.

1969: Krzyzewski at Army

In 1969, Krzyzewski ended his career as a point guard at Army under coach Bob Knight.

1969: Graduation from West Point

In 1969, Krzyzewski graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

1969: Marriage to Carol "Mickie" Marsh

In 1969, Krzyzewski married Carol "Mickie" Marsh in the Catholic chapel at West Point on the day of his graduation.

1974: Krzyzewski Ends Army Service

In 1974, Krzyzewski was discharged from active duty in the U.S. Army.

1974: Discharge from Active Duty

In 1974, Krzyzewski was discharged from active duty with the rank of captain and started his coaching career as an assistant on Knight's staff with the Indiana Hoosiers.

1978: NIT Berth with Army

In 1978, Krzyzewski led the Army Cadets to an NIT berth.

March 18, 1980: Named Head Coach at Duke University

On March 18, 1980, Krzyzewski was named the head coach at Duke University after five seasons at Army.

1990: Offer from the Boston Celtics

After the 1990 season, the Boston Celtics offered a coaching position to Krzyzewski, but he declined the offer.

October 1994: Surgery and Health Challenges

In October 1994, Krzyzewski had surgery to repair a ruptured disk in his back, marking the beginning of significant health challenges.

1994: Health Issues During the 1994-95 Season

During the 1994-95 season, Krzyzewski was suffering from a ruptured disk and his wife helped persuade him to step down.

1994: Pursued by the Portland Trail Blazers

In 1994, Krzyzewski was pursued by the Portland Trail Blazers, but he again chose to stay with Duke.

1996: Duke's NCAA Tournament Streak Begins

In 1996, Duke began a streak of 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances under Krzyzewski.

2001: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2001, Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual coaching career.

2004: Interviewed by Los Angeles Lakers

In 2004, Krzyzewski was interviewed by the Los Angeles Lakers, who made him a formal offer, but he turned it down.

2005: Appointed National Team Coach

In 2005, Krzyzewski was appointed coach of the U.S. national team through the 2008 Olympics.

2005: Presented with West Point's Distinguished Graduate Award

In 2005, Krzyzewski was presented with West Point's Distinguished Graduate Award.

2006: Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2006, Krzyzewski was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

2006: Establishment of the Emily Krzyzewski Center

In 2006, Mike Krzyzewski and his family founded the Emily Krzyzewski Center, a non-profit organization affiliated with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, named in honor of Krzyzewski's mother. The center aims to inspire students from kindergarten to high school to achieve their potential as leaders.

2006: FIBA World Championship Bronze Medal

In 2006, at the FIBA World Championship, Krzyzewski's USA team won the bronze medal.

August 24, 2008: Olympic Gold Medal

On August 24, 2008, Krzyzewski's U.S. team won the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

2008: Coached US National Team

In 2008, Krzyzewski coached the national team through the 2008 Olympics.

2008: Head Coach of Redeem Team

In 2008, Krzyzewski was the head coach of the United States men's Olympic basketball team known as the "Redeem Team".

2009: Inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame

In 2009, Krzyzewski and the "Dream Team" were inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

February 13, 2010: Krzyzewski's 1,000th Game

On February 13, 2010, which was his 63rd birthday, Krzyzewski coached in his 1,000th game as the Duke head coach.

2010: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

In 2010, Krzyzewski coached the U.S. team for the FIBA World Championship, leading Team USA to a perfect 9-0 record and a gold medal.

2010: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Dream Team

In 2010, Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the collective induction of the "Dream Team."

2010: New Jersey Nets Offer

In 2010, the New Jersey Nets were reportedly willing to pay Krzyzewski between $12 million and $15 million per season, but he declined the offer.

March 20, 2011: Krzyzewski Wins 900th Game

On March 20, 2011, Krzyzewski won his 900th game, becoming the second of three Division I men's basketball coaches to reach 900 basketball wins.

November 15, 2011: Krzyzewski Becomes All-Time Winningest Coach

On November 15, 2011, Krzyzewski led Duke to a 74-69 victory over Michigan State, becoming the coach with the most wins in NCAA Division I men's basketball history with his 903rd victory.

2011: Offered Coaching Position for the Minnesota Timberwolves

In 2011, Krzyzewski was offered the vacant coaching position for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he again declined the offer and chose to stay at Duke.

2012: Krzyzewski Receives Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award

In 2012, Krzyzewski was awarded the U.S. Basketball Writers Association's Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award. This award recognized his civic service and charitable efforts that positively impacted society.

February 2013: Stepped Down as National Team Coach

In February 2013, Krzyzewski stepped down after seven years of coaching the national team.

January 25, 2015: Krzyzewski Reaches 1,000 Wins

On January 25, 2015, Duke defeated St. John's, and Krzyzewski became the first Division I men's coach to reach 1,000 wins.

April 6, 2015: Krzyzewski Wins Fifth NCAA Championship

On April 6, 2015, Krzyzewski won his fifth NCAA championship when Duke defeated Wisconsin in the title game.

2016: All-Time Winningest Coach in NCAA Tournament

In the 2016 NCAA tournament on March 19, Krzyzewski became the all-time winningest coach in the NCAA Division I tournament with 90 total wins.

2016: Coaching the US National Team

Krzyzewski coached the national team through 2016.

November 11, 2017: 1,000th Win with Duke

On November 11, 2017, Krzyzewski won his 1,000th game with the Duke Blue Devils, making him the first head coach to win 1,000 games with one NCAA Division I men's basketball program.

March 17, 2018: Most Wins by a Division I Coach

On March 17, 2018, Krzyzewski won his 1,099th game in his career, passing Pat Summitt for most wins by a Division I coach, male or female.

February 16, 2019: Winningest Coach in College Basketball History

On February 16, 2019, Krzyzewski won his 1,123rd game to become the winningest coach in college basketball history at any level (men's or women's), passing Harry Statham.

2019: End of Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances

In 2019, Duke had appeared in the tournament in 30 consecutive seasons.

2019: Grandson Joins Duke Team

In 2019, Krzyzewski's grandson, Michael Savarino, was a walk-on player at Duke for the 2019-20 season.

2020: Cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament

In 2020, the NCAA tournament was canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

June 2, 2021: Retirement Announcement

On June 2, 2021, Krzyzewski announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

March 5, 2022: Final Home Game

On March 5, 2022, Krzyzewski coached his final home game against rival North Carolina, which Duke lost 94-81.

April 2, 2022: Final Game and Final Four Appearance

On April 2, 2022, Krzyzewski reached his 13th Final Four appearance, where Duke lost to North Carolina in his final game. He ended his career at Duke with a 1,129-309 win-loss record.

April 5, 2022: Dismisses Retirement Reversal

On April 5, 2022, Krzyzewski dismissed the idea of returning for another season, stating he would not "pull a Tom Brady".

2022: Maintained Position at Duke University

In 2022, Krzyzewski retired as Duke's basketball coach but maintained a position at Duke University.

February 14, 2023: Post-Retirement Appearance at Duke Game

On February 14, 2023, Krzyzewski made his first post-retirement appearance at a Duke game.

January 21, 2024: Tara VanDerveer Becomes Winningest Head Coach

On January 21, 2024, Tara VanDerveer became the winningest head coach in college basketball history at any level, men's or women's, passing Krzyzewski with her 1,203rd win.

2025: Scheduled Hall of Fame Induction

In 2025, Krzyzewski is scheduled to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as head coach of the 2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team, the "Redeem Team".