Longtime Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski signaled the official end of an era when he announced retirement plans following the 2021-22 season. Krzyzewski naturally impacted the lives of many student athletes and others involved in the program during his 42 seasons pacing the sidelines. On Thursday, the longtime Blue Devils coach took the hardwood at Cameron Indoor Stadium to address his team and its supporters one final time. Needless to say, it was an emotional night, as detailed by Steve Wiseman of The News and Observer.
“I want to thank you for what you’ve done for my family,” he said. “This will always be home. Obviously, this whole place and all of you have a place in my heart always. “It’s been an honor,” Krzyzewski said, fighting back tears. “It’s been an honor to be your coach.”
Holding back tears, Krzyzewski said that Duke “will have a special place in his heart always” and told his players directly that “it's been an honor to be their coach.”
The Blue Devils legendary coach also said he's “the luckiest guy on the planet.” Krzyzewski earned the right to feel that way, as he heads into his retirement having won 1,202 games while reaching 13 Final Fours, each representing the most for a coach in NCAA history.
Above all, Krzyzewski left a lasting impact on a campus that he said, “always follows their hearts.”
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