Mike Krzyzewski

Date of Birth: February 13, 1947

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

Michael William Krzyzewski, better known as “Coach K,” is one of the most successful and revered figures in the history of basketball coaching. Born on February 13, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, Krzyzewski grew up in a Polish-American family and demonstrated an early passion for basketball. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he played basketball under coach Bob Knight. After graduating in 1969, Krzyzewski served in the U.S. Army before starting his coaching career. He began as an assistant coach at Indiana University under Bob Knight, then became the head coach at his alma mater, Army, from 1975 to 1980. In 1980, he took the head coaching position at Duke University, a role he would hold for over four decades. Under his leadership, the Duke Blue Devils became a powerhouse in college basketball. Coach K led the team to five NCAA championships, 12 Final Fours, 15 ACC tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular-season titles. He is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history, with over 1,200 career wins. In addition to his college coaching success, Krzyzewski also served as the head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team, leading them to three Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Known for his leadership, integrity, and ability to develop young talent, Coach K retired from coaching after the 2021-2022 season, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

5 Interesting Facts about Mike Krzyzewski

1. Mike Krzyzewski has won five NCAA championships with Duke University (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015).

2. He has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice—once in 2001 as an individual and again in 2010 as a coach of the “Dream Team.”

3. Krzyzewski served as the head coach for the USA Men’s National Team, winning gold medals in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics.

4. He is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history, with over 1,200 career wins.

5. Coach K has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mike Krzyzewski

1. “Leaders have to give time for relationships. But more important, give respect to the people you are leading.”

2. “A basketball team is like the five fingers on your hand. If you can get them all together, you have a fist. That’s how I want you to play.”

3. “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s the way you do it, the way you approach it, and the way you think about it.”

4. “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.”

5. “When you are passionate about something, you can do anything.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

$45 million

Children

Mike Krzyzewski and his wife, Carol “Mickie” Marsh, have three daughters: Debbie Savarino, Lindy Frasher, and Jamie Spatola. They also have ten grandchildren.