S.I. Successor Series: Who would take over for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke?

[TheSultan]

maybe they will hire a search firm!

Ha!

[Alan Bykowski, "brewcity77"]

It is always difficult to follow a legend, and that is probably more so at Duke than most places. Unlike Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, and most of the other blue bloods, Duke's success has been almost entirely under one coach.

This always comes up when K is mentioned, but it just isn't true. Vic Bubas took the Blue Devils to three Final Fours and once to the final game in the 1960s. Bill Foster had Duke in the NCAA Finals just two years before K arrived and the Elite Eight the year before he took over.

In the 20 years before Coach K arrived, Duke went to four Final Fours and the Elite Eight twice. It was hardly a moribund program he took over. Sure, his 4 titles and additional 6 Final Fours are more impressive than anyone who came before him, but his 34 years are more than double the time Bubas and Foster spent at Duke combined. K took the reins at a high-level program and took them to the next level.

[MUMac]

This always comes up when K is mentioned, but it just isn't true. Vic Bubas took the Blue Devils to three Final Fours and once to the final game in the 1960s. Bill Foster had Duke in the NCAA Finals just two years before K arrived and the Elite Eight the year before he took over.

In the 20 years before Coach K arrived, Duke went to four Final Fours and the Elite Eight twice. It was hardly a moribund program he took over. Sure, his 4 titles and additional 6 Final Fours are more impressive than anyone who came before him, but his 34 years are more than double the time Bubas and Foster spent at Duke combined. K took the reins at a high-level program and took them to the next level.

Don't forget that prior to Coach K, only the ACC Tournament Champion went to the NCAA's. One team from the conference, no at large bids.

[KMWTRUCKS]

I think Stevens would be in play. At this point none of the Duke Off spring have been killing it. Collins won't, Amaker has already failed, Brey is just to old for a jump at this point. I know Roy jumped but Roy was way more high profile when he left Kansas then Brey. Stevens did not want to leave Butler for just a High Major coaching job, I think it was out of loyality. But Duke, Kent, IU, NC, Kansas might be different. The celtics are going to be bad for a while at this point. How many years can the celtics be lottery teams before Stevens gets fired? 4-5. Blue bloods only come open once every 5 years so if that is what you want you have to jump. Self is not going anywhere. Calipari is pretty young still, Roy will probably last longer then Mike K. Crean of the group is on the worst footing, but will probably to just good enough not to be fired. I hate to say it but WOJO assuming he has us back in the NCAA at worst next year would probably move up the list quickly. has a talented roster, and looks to be having a good recruiting class plus MU really supports winning. I would never blame a Duke player, 10 year assistant, going back to his Blue Blood alma mater. Way different then Buzz going to V TECH.

[TheSultan]

Stevens just doesn't seem the type to go back to the NCAA. He reminds me a lot more of PJ Carlesimo than he does of Rick Pitino in that regard. Carlesimo stuck with the NBA, despite failing, because he didn't to go back to recruiting and the like. (And he had his opportunities.) Pitino is a better fit in college.