Spend 42 years in one place like Mike Krzyzewski and Duke, and there are bound to be emotions. Saturday evening was Coach K’s final game at Duke, a place where he’s made countless memories games and won countless games. The celebrations matched the moment.
Players who had pleasure of being coached by him poured in with heartfelt messages of gratitude. Fans, who enjoyed an unprecedented run of success thanks to his coaching of their team, went bananas when it was time to introduce him. In a special moment like Saturday, waterworks are not only more than understandable, they’re inevitable.
The Duke men’s basketball (and probably greater athletic department) administration had perhaps the consummate way to honor the amazing coach:
A time capsule video, including shots of his old bowl cut and all, was revealed during pregame festivities.
Coach K's intro video tonight! Absolute goat. 🐐
Watch w/ tissues. #CoachK pic.twitter.com/EyOSxJ39l4
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 5, 2022
After everything he’s accomplished inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Krzyzewski’s reaction was predictable. He couldn’t hold back his emotions.
Taking it all in. One last time.#CoachK pic.twitter.com/o1bWlnROW8
— ESPN (@espn) March 5, 2022
After the life he’s taken meticulous care to construct in Durham over the years, Krzyzewski deserves to get his flowers. Of anyone, it’s his moment to sit back and bask in the end of a fantastic era.
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