Coach K has set the gold standard for college basketball at Duke.

When Mike Krzyzewski took over the reins at Duke in 1980, the program was lagging despite having success in the late 1970s. Most expected that Coach K would inject some life back into the program, but the transformation that took place after his arrival surprised even the most optimistic Duke fan.

Coach K applied his dynamic style of leadership and built Duke into the most successful college basketball program of the last 25 years. In his time in Durham, NC, the school has set standards that other college programs can only hope to emulate. Under his leadership, Duke has been to the NCAA tournament semifinals 10 times and won three national titles, including back-to-backs in 1991-92. He’s had 68 NCAA tournament wins (the most among all coaches) and seven seasons of winning 30 or more games, including four of the last five years.

Duke’s success has been based on Coach K’s ability to get his players to perform with a passion and intensity that matches his own. This fire - as seen in their trademark court slap signaling a big defensive stop – when coupled with Krzyzewski’s mastery of the X’s and O’s has resulted in the numerous banners that hang from the rafters at Cameron Indoor Stadium. His gift is to adapt to a constantly changing cast of players and still get them all to achieve to Duke’s standard.

After 27 years at the helm in Durham, the future looks just as bright for the Duke crew. Their record speaks for itself. And the legacy that he has created there ensures that the university will continue to have the tools and attract the talent needed to build upon their astounding success.