Dressed in a suit with sneakers replacing his loafers of 35 years on the floor, a man today reached a milestone at Madison Square Garden that has never been reached before. With grit and wit, class, finesse and grace, a giant of his sport, if not an icon of sports, surpassed 1,000 wins as a Division I coach.
Maybe Duke's Athletic Director Tom Butters knew what he was getting when he hired this coach from Army back in 1980. But, I don't think Butters ever envisioned this. Three poor seasons at Duke at the beginning - Butters had the fortitude to stand fast and it paid off.
This coach now defines college basketball in every way. He has coached the best of the best in college basketball and all those players are a part of this phenomenal record. Congratulations to you all.
He's been through it all. He's been through the NCAA wringer and the wrath of the media while heading a team and program that is loathed by most of America. A small private school in the heart of tobacco country full of "trust fund kids with BMW's". Duke wasn't known for its basketball - well that was until he showed up.
He has coached through "Lacrosse-Gate" where Duke hung three lacrosse players out to dry and the reverberations cost the District Attorney his job and the lacrosse team a chance at a national title. All through this, basketball has remained at the top of the national polls.
Not many people surpass their idols. He passed Bob Knight a while back.
He has recruited through the Iraq war, 911, player injuries, NCAA inquiries, ACC reorganizations, personal back pain, and today's "one and done."He's won Olympic Gold while managing Team USA through the professional era. Who says you can't coach college and professional at the same time?
The legacy he leaves behind is already bright. So many of his players are a part of the sport from playing to coaching through to sportscasting and scouting. His career is unrivaled. He has appeared in 19 consecutive NCAA tournaments. 12 ACC regular season championships. 11 Final Fours. You name it, he has done it.
And now he has done this. 1,000 wins. Well done Michael Williams Kryzewski. I liked you way back in the late 90s when you won your first championship in Indianapolis.
I revere you now.
