As Duke’s Coach K settles into retirement, he’ll have a new ‘Coach’ by his side: a puppy
Retiring Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski may need to get used to another “Coach” in the family.
Thursday night, his team at Duke University surprised him and his wife, Mickie, with an eight-week-old silver Labrador puppy.
“Look, we can’t repay you for what you’ve done for all of us, but we’re going to try,” said new Duke coach Jon Scheyer.
“You know, since you have a lot more time now, Coach, we thought you needed something to train. And so we want you to meet the new member of your family — Coach.”
Out came the puppy wearing a collar with the name “Coach” on it. The crowd cheered, and surrounding players laughed as team captain Wendell Moore handed him the puppy.
Krzyzewski plopped a kiss on the dog’s head and waved its paw at the audience.
Right on cue, Coach, the puppy, gave Coach K, the legendary college basketball coach, a glance, a sniff and several appreciative licks.
Mickie Krzyzewski smiled and covered her face with her hands in disbelief.
The puppy presentation happened at Duke basketball’s annual awards banquet at Cameron Indoor Stadium, where over 42 years, Krzyzewski built a storied team and leaves a powerful legacy. He finished with 1,202 wins, more than any other college basketball coach.
Last year, the Krzyzewskis’ dog, Blue, died, of lung cancer. The yellow Labrador had been a fixture in their lives for over 12 years, The News & Observer reported.
“He was my guy,” Krzyzewski told The N&O last year. “When I came home, the walks, I work outside a lot, watching tape — he’s there. I miss him.”
So while Coach won’t ever replace Blue, he’ll offer Krzyzewski a new beginning as he starts his own new chapter.
“It was a great night,” Krzyzewski, 75, told The N&O in a text message Thursday. “Very happy! We were surprised with the puppy. Our grandkids have had him a few days and have called him Coach.
“Not sure if that sticks.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 1:56 PM with the headline "As Duke’s Coach K settles into retirement, he’ll have a new ‘Coach’ by his side: a puppy."