Coach K becomes all-time wins leader

Written by: Travis Spitzley '13

This year college football had a new Coach take over the top spot as all-time wins leader, and now, so has college basketball.  On November 15, Coach Mike Krzyzewski beat Michigan State to win his 903^rd game, moving him past his former Coach and mentor, Bob Knight.  Coach K is in his 37^th year as a head Coach, winning 830 games at Duke, and another 73 with Army. 

Coached by Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski was a point guard at Army, but was always meant to be a Coach.  He’s always had a great knowledge of the game and once he got his chance at Coaching he took complete advantage of it.  Now, after winning game number 903, he passed his mentor and former Coach.  Coach Knight was announcing the game and mentioned that he wouldn’t be more honored to be replaced by anyone else as the winningest Coach in NCAA men’s basketball.  After the game the two met by the scorer’s table and shared a few words and a hug.  Both men display an obvious respect for each other as Coaches, as well as people.

As head Coach of Duke he has won four national titles and has gone to eleven final fours.  He has 79 tournament victories, which is also a record, and was elected to the Hall of Fame after the 2001 season.  One of his other impressive accomplishments was as Coach of the 2008 Olympic team, where he led them to a gold medal.  He was an assistant Coach on the 1992 “dream team” which also won a gold medal.  With all of his accomplishments, Coach K’s greatest feat may have come after passing his former Coach and friend Bob Knight for the most career wins.