Coach K does it again
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Tyler Smith)
INDIANAPOLIS — “This is the best moment of my coaching career.”
Coach Mike Krzyzewski said those words moments after winning his fifth national championship over the Wisconsin Badgers on Monday night in Indianapolis. That’s a pretty significant quote considering the incredible career Coach K has had. Prior to 2010, sports analysts were beginning to question if Coach K was done winning national championships. He’s now won two titles in the last six years, adding to his remarkable coaching resume.
Not only did Krzyzewski win his 1,000th career game this season, he also became the first coach to ever win national championships in three different decades.
So what made this year’s championship so special? “All of them are great,” Krzyzewski said. “The one you’re in this moment with is always the most current, you can feel it the best. I haven’t loved a team any more than I’ve loved this team. We have eight guys, and four of them are freshmen. For them to win 35 games and win the national title is incredible. I’ve been in this for 40 years, and I’m the coach of that group that did this. You know, how good is that? They’ve been a joy. They’ve been an incredible joy.”
The ability to adapt to different teams and different styles over several decades has been truly remarkable. Duke standout Quinn Cook had this to say about his coach: “Coach K wasn’t focused on getting his fifth championship. He was focused on us getting our first.” 
Coach K has also enjoyed Indianapolis for multiple reasons. Three of his five championships have been won in Indy, and he has an overall record of 10-2 in the city during NCAA tournament play. It’s not just the wins he appreciates: “I just don’t know if you realize how good everyone is here. The hosts, the volunteers, the police, they’re all unbelievable. And this is a spectacular venue.”
With five national titles, Coach K is now alone in second place on the all-time list for championships, trailing only the great John Wooden who has 10. He also improved his overall NCAA tournament record to 88-26, which also trails only Wooden in winning percentage.
Whether you consider him the greatest coach or not, he certainly belongs in the conversation.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
