Meet Coach K

Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, has been the head basketball coach of Duke University for the past 28 years. In that time, the Duke Blue Devils have won three NCAA Championships, 10 ACC Championships, and have appeared in 10 Final Fours (the third most in history). Coach K was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame following the 2001 season. He is also proud to have coached players who have achieved superb graduation rates, but what matters more than all his accolades is the time he spends getting to know his players.

Unfortunately, his love of coaching was put on hold due to relentless pain in his hips. Instead of getting hip replacement surgery sooner, Coach K went through an entire year in constant pain, where he had to coach from a chair and was unable to demonstrate plays to his team. Eventually he had the surgery, which enabled him to continue what he passionately wants to do, and that’s to coach. While Coach K put surgery off, like many, because of fear, it turned out to be a lot easier than he thought. As soon as he had the operation, he was relieved to find that his hip pain was gone. So delighted with the positive outcome of his surgery, Coach K was only happy to become the paid spokesperson for DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. In fact, Coach K’s hip surgery gave him an entirely new lease on life and the chance to be this year’s Coach for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Mens’ Basketball Team.

However, Coach K’s achievements go beyond the basketball court. He has written several novels, spanning from his childhood in a Polish Chicago neighborhood, to his days at the U.S. Military Academy, playing under Coach Bobby Knight, to his chronicles of being a coach. He also leads fundraising efforts for the Emily K Center. The center inspires economically disadvantaged students to reach their potential in school and life. It inspires hope and builds confidence in all children, giving them the tools they need to become successful citizens. It’s clear that Coach K’s philosophy of establishing an emotional bond of trust that gives his basketball players confidence and freedom to succeed evolved to the Emily K Center and beyond. To learn more about Coach K and his additional public service activities go to www.coachk.com.