Who would have ever believed it when Mike Krzyzewski told Bob Knight that he would play point guard at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Did anyone think that he would one day take over for his mentor atop the all-time wins list?
This is something that we will never see again, where a coach surpasses his mentor as numero uno. It all started in Chicago, when Knight told Krzyzewski why he wanted him to become a Cadet at the Military academy.
Krzyzewski ultimately became the point guard and played on some really tenacious teams which overachieved. Knight always got the most out of his talent.
Coach K has had an amazing career. He was a graduate assistant at Indiana and went on to coach at Army, and even though he didn't have a great record there, he showed his leadership. It impressed the people at Duke and he took over that program. Knight recommended him to take over at Duke.
After three years of struggling as Duke head coach, AD Tom Butters still had faith in his coach. In this day and age, with media scrutiny, sports talk radio, and social media it is hard to say if he would have survived.
Patience paid off and Coach K has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career.
Four national championships. Dominance in the ACC. Players who have developed as men. He analyzed opponents' weaknesses and his own team's strengths. Coach K does an incredible job of motivating people and building team chemistry.
This is far from the end. He will eventually get to 1000 wins to join the exclusive club which includes Pat Summitt of Tennessee women's fame. He is the best coach in all of college sports.
Coach Knight has to be proud of this magical moment.