Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski praised longtime Kansas and North Carolina head coach Roy Williams after the latter announced his retirement on Thursday.

Krzyzewski said he was “surprised” to learn Williams was retiring, calling him “one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history.” The Blue Devils head coach also lauded Williams for his commitment to his players.

“Coach K” explained he was very grateful for their friendship as well as their respective roles in the Duke-UNC rivalry. The full statement can be seen below.

Williams retires as one of the most decorated coaches in college basketball history.

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The former Tar Heels product built a tremendous program at the University of Kansas, leading the Jayhawks to four Final Four appearances and 13 straight NCAA Tournament berths. But he would have even greater success at his alma mater.

Williams won his first NCAA title in his second year at the helm of the Tar Heels in 2005. He then led North Carolina to back-to-back Final Four appearances in 2008 and 2009, winning his second title in 2009.

The Tar Heels would surprisingly miss the NCAA Tournament the following season, breaking a streak of 20 straight NCAA Tournament berths by Roy Williams-coached teams. But Williams would put that in the rearview, getting back to the Final Four in 2016 and winning his third and final NCAA title in 2017.

The fiery head coach formed a tremendous bond with Krzyzewski as the two men who really came to embody the fiercest rivalry in college basketball. Krzyzewski now sends flowers to his old friend in retirement.