Mike Krzyzewski, often referred to as "Coach K," concluded his illustrious coaching career at Duke University in 2022 after 42 seasons. His tenure transformed the Blue Devils into a perennial basketball powerhouse, amassing five NCAA championships, 13 Final Four appearances, 15 ACC tournament titles, and 13 ACC regular season championships. His five national titles place him second only to UCLA's legendary coach John Wooden, who holds the record with ten. Krzyzewski is widely considered one of the greatest college basketball coaches in history, leaving an enduring legacy on the sport.
February 13, 1947: Birth of Mike Krzyzewski
Mike Krzyzewski, nicknamed "Coach K", was born on February 13, 1947.
1966: Krzyzewski Plays Point Guard at Army
Mike Krzyzewski began playing point guard at Army in 1966 under coach Bob Knight.
1968: Captain of Army Basketball Team
Krzyzewski served as captain of the Army basketball team during his senior season in 1968, leading them to the National Invitation Tournament.
1969: Krzyzewski Graduates from West Point
Krzyzewski graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1969.
1969: Begins Service in US Army
Krzyzewski's service in the U.S. Army began in 1969.
1969: Graduates from West Point
Mike Krzyzewski graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1969.
1969: Marries Carol "Mickie" Marsh
Mike Krzyzewski married Carol "Mickie" Marsh on his graduation day at West Point in 1969.
1974: Discharged from Active Duty
Krzyzewski was discharged from active duty in the US Army in 1974 with the rank of captain.
1974: Starts Coaching Career
In 1974, Krzyzewski began his coaching career as an assistant on Bob Knight's staff at Indiana University.
1975: Krzyzewski Becomes Head Coach at Army
Krzyzewski took on the role of head coach at his alma mater, Army, in 1975.
1978: Leads Army to NIT Berth
Krzyzewski coached Army to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1978.
1979: Assistant Coach for Pan American Games Gold Medal Team
In 1979, Krzyzewski was an assistant coach for the USA team that won gold at the Pan American Games.
March 18, 1980: Named Head Coach at Duke University
On March 18, 1980, Krzyzewski officially became the head coach at Duke University.
1980: Krzyzewski Begins Coaching at Duke University
In 1980, Mike Krzyzewski started his tenure as head coach at Duke University.
1980: Krzyzewski Leaves Army for Duke
Krzyzewski concluded his time as head coach at Army in 1980.
1984: Assistant Coach for Olympic Gold Medal Team
In 1984, Krzyzewski served as an assistant coach for the USA team that won an Olympic gold medal.
1987: Silver Medal at World University Games
In 1987, Krzyzewski coached the USA men's national team to a silver medal at the World University Games.
1990: Declines Boston Celtics Offer
Following the 1990 season, Krzyzewski declined an offer to coach the Boston Celtics.
1990: Medals at FIBA World Championship and Goodwill Games
In 1990, Krzyzewski's teams earned a bronze medal at the FIBA World Championship and a silver medal at the Goodwill Games.
1992: Assistant Coach for Olympic and Tournament of the Americas Gold Medal Teams
Krzyzewski contributed as an assistant coach for the USA teams that won gold medals at the 1992 Olympics and the 1992 Tournament of the Americas.
1992: Assistant Coach for the "Dream Team"
Krzyzewski was an assistant coach for the legendary "Dream Team" at the 1992 Olympics.
October 1994: Krzyzewski Takes Leave of Absence
In October 1994, due to health issues, Krzyzewski took a leave of absence from coaching at Duke University.
1994: Health Scare and Wife's Intervention
During the 1994-95 season, Krzyzewski's wife persuaded him to seek medical attention for a ruptured disk, leading to a temporary break from coaching.
1994: Declines Portland Trail Blazers Offer
In 1994, Krzyzewski turned down an offer from the Portland Trail Blazers.
1996: Start of Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances
In 1996, Duke, under Krzyzewski's leadership, started a streak of 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.
2001: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual coaching career in 2001.
2004: Declines Los Angeles Lakers Offer
Krzyzewski rejected a lucrative offer from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004.
2005: Receives West Point's Distinguished Graduate Award
In 2005, Krzyzewski received the Distinguished Graduate Award from West Point.
2005: Appointed Coach of National Team
Mike Krzyzewski was appointed coach of the USA men's national basketball team in 2005.
2006: Induction into College Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2006, Krzyzewski was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
2006: Emily Krzyzewski Center Founded
The Emily Krzyzewski Center, a non-profit organization supporting students and named after Krzyzewski's mother, was founded in 2006.
2006: Bronze Medal at FIBA World Championship
The USA team coached by Krzyzewski secured a bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
2007: Gold Medal at FIBA Americas Championship
In 2007, Krzyzewski led the USA team to a gold medal victory at the FIBA Americas Championship.
August 24, 2008: Gold Medal at Beijing Olympics
On August 24, 2008, Krzyzewski coached "The Redeem Team" to an undefeated gold medal victory at the Beijing Olympics.
2008: Coaching through 2008 Olympics
Krzyzewski's appointment as coach of the national team extended through the 2008 Olympics.
2008: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2008, Krzyzewski coached the United States national team to a gold medal at the Olympics.
2009: Induction into US Olympic Hall of Fame
Krzyzewski was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame as part of the "Dream Team" in 2009.
February 13, 2010: 1,000th Game as Duke Head Coach
On February 13, 2010, his 63rd birthday, Krzyzewski coached his 1,000th game as Duke's head coach.
2010: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal
In 2010, Krzyzewski coached the US team to victory in the FIBA World Cup.
2010: Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship
In 2010, Krzyzewski led Team USA to an undefeated record and a gold medal win against Turkey at the FIBA World Championship.
2010: Declines New Jersey Nets Offer
Krzyzewski declined a significant offer from the New Jersey Nets in 2010.
2010: Second Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Krzyzewski was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame again in 2010, this time as part of the "Dream Team."
2010: Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship
Krzyzewski's team won the gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
March 20, 2011: 900th Win as Coach
On March 20, 2011, Krzyzewski achieved his 900th win as a Division I men's basketball coach.
November 15, 2011: Most Wins in NCAA Division I Men's Basketball History
On November 15, 2011, Krzyzewski achieved the record for most wins in NCAA Division I men's basketball history.
2011: Declines Minnesota Timberwolves Offer
In 2011, Krzyzewski turned down the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching position.
2012: Receives Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award
In 2012, Krzyzewski received the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award for his civic service and charitable work.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal
Krzyzewski led the US national team to an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
February 2013: Steps Down as National Team Coach
Krzyzewski stepped down from his role as national team coach in February 2013 after seven years.
2014: Gold Medal at FIBA World Cup
In 2014, Krzyzewski coached the USA team to a gold medal at the FIBA World Cup.
2014: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal
The US team, under Krzyzewski's coaching, secured a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
January 25, 2015: First Division I Men's Coach to Reach 1,000 Wins
Krzyzewski became the first Division I men's coach to reach 1,000 wins on January 25, 2015.
April 6, 2015: Fifth NCAA Championship
Krzyzewski led Duke to his fifth NCAA championship on April 6, 2015, defeating Wisconsin.
2016: Returns as Head Coach of National Team
After a brief hiatus, Krzyzewski returned as head coach of the USA men's national basketball team in 2016.
2016: Winningest Coach in NCAA Tournament History
In 2016, Krzyzewski became the all-time winningest coach in the NCAA Division I tournament.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
The US national team, coached by Krzyzewski, won another Olympic gold medal in 2016.
November 11, 2017: 1,000th Win with Duke
On November 11, 2017, Krzyzewski reached 1,000 wins with the Duke Blue Devils.
March 17, 2018: Most Wins by a Division I Coach
On March 17, 2018, Krzyzewski surpassed Pat Summitt for the most wins by a Division I coach.
February 16, 2019: Winningest Coach in College Basketball History
Krzyzewski became the winningest coach in college basketball history on February 16, 2019.
2019: End of Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances
Duke's streak of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances ended in 2019.
2019: Grandson Joins Duke Team
Krzyzewski's grandson, Michael Savarino, joined the Duke basketball team as a walk-on player in the 2019-20 season.
2020: NCAA Tournament Canceled
The 2020 NCAA tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
June 2, 2021: Retirement Announcement
On June 2, 2021, Krzyzewski announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2021-22 season.
March 5, 2022: Final Home Game
Krzyzewski coached his final home game at Duke on March 5, 2022, against North Carolina.
April 2, 2022: Final Game and 13th Final Four Appearance
On April 2, 2022, Krzyzewski coached his final game, marking his 13th Final Four appearance.
April 5, 2022: Krzyzewski Dismisses Return Rumors
On April 5, 2022, Mike Krzyzewski denied rumors of a potential return to coaching, stating he would not be following in Tom Brady's footsteps by coming out of retirement.
2022: Retires as Duke's Basketball Coach
Krzyzewski retired as Duke's basketball coach in 2022 but retained a position at the university.
2022: Krzyzewski Retires from Coaching
Mike Krzyzewski retired from coaching at Duke University in 2022.
February 14, 2023: First Post-Retirement Appearance at Duke Game
Mike Krzyzewski made his first post-retirement appearance at a Duke basketball game on February 14, 2023.