903.
Any coach chasing the record for all time wins in Men’s Division I NCAA Basketball is now chasing the brillance of Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Yes. I said brilliance. Because this guy has built a program at a private university that graduates students, and they compete…every year. Do I like him? Eh. I love to hate him. Yet I would never deny his ability to coach basketball.
Sure, if you put a little mustache on him, he looks a little like Hitler, but that’s just my University of Kentucky fanhood…loving to hate. Is there anyone I would rather play for? Probably not.
Krzyzewski passed his mentor and former record-holding coach, Bobby Knight, with a victory over Michigan State. Knight was on hand, offering a little commentary during the contest which took place at Madison Square Garden–part of the Champions Classic–a new meeting of elite programs which will take place annually. Bobby Knight enjoyed his last victory a few years ago at Texas Tech, where he surpassed the North Carolina legend, Dean Smith.
Coach K was able to celebrate with family and friends who were in attendance–his wife holding a poster that boasted the number “903″ and the short phrase “…and still counting.”
Beyond being the second coach to achieve 900 wins, there is little doubt that he’ll be the first to crack the millennial mark in NCAA men’s basketball. The only coach possessing 1,000 wins is the legendary women’s coach, Pat Summitt.
What is most impressive may be Coach K’s winning percentage. 903-282. That’s 76 percent. You win over three-quarters of your games? And there you have it. The reasons why Coach K is so great, and why it’s so enjoyable to hate Duke Basketball.
Congrats, Coach.
