Mike Krzyzewski
Mike Krzyzewski
Michael William Krzyzewskiis an American college basketball coach and former player. Since 1980, he has served as the head men's basketball coach at Duke University. At Duke, Krzyzewski has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA Championships, 12 Final Fours, 12 ACC regular season titles, and 13 ACC Tournament championships. Krzyzewski is also the coach of the United States men's national basketball team, whom he led to two gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Olympics. He...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth13 February 1947
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
As teachers and coaches, we must remember that when mere winning is our only goal, we are doomed to disappointment and failure. But when our goal is to try to win, when our focus is on preparation and sacrifice and effort instead of on numbers on a scoreboard then we will never lose.
My ambition in high school was to be a high school coach and teacher, and that's still what I do: teach.
I've tried to handle winning well, so that maybe we'll win again, but I've also tried to handle failure well. If those serve as good examples for teachers and kids, then I hope that would be a contribution I have made to sport. Not just basketball, but to sport.
I think some parents now look at a youngster failing as the final thing. It's a process, and failure is part of the process. I would like it if the teacher and the parents would connect more. I think that used to be, but we're losing a little bit of that right now.
The thing I loved the most - and still love the most about teaching - is that you can connect with an individual or a group, and see that individual or group exceed their limits.
Our big guys were more animated than they have been the entire season.
I think we could have done a little better job, but the other team forces you into those situations. I don't think we ever completely adjusted to the physicality of this game. And they did.
We were never a dominant team. We knew that, and things would have to go right for us to win.
We're not going to beat a really good team with J.J. going 5 for 21.
Usually when you play bad, somebody makes you look bad and we didn't respond very well.
It's his time. He's 27 years old now. He should try to assume a position of leadership in the team. I would think he's very hungry to do this. I see him fitting in very, very well.
It?s his time. He?s 27 years old. He should try to assume a position of leadership on the team. I would think he?s very hungry to do this.
That's the best team we've played. They know what they're doing and they do it well. It's a big win for us.
We weren't ever a dominant team. We knew that. So things had to go right for us to win.