The Other Side of Coach K

By Ray Depta
February 27, 2006

  There have been many editorials written in the past few years about why fans should dislike Coach Mike Krzyzewski, or why fans should cheer for Duke or why they dislike J.J. Redick.  Honestly, they get kind of boring.  They all sound like their opinions are based on what little they know from watching a few games on ESPN and from reading other people articles about Duke.  I want to share a different perspective on Coach K. 

  I am a high school teacher who got into coaching later in life.  At first, I knew nothing about Duke or Coach K.  As I began my coaching career, I sought out experts who could teach me the game.  I have read books by, watched video tapes by, and have met in person at coaching clinics, Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, Lute Olson, Roy Williams, Bob Huggins, Dave Odom, Hubie Brown, Steve Alford, Kelvin Sampson, Bill Guthridge, John Thompson and others.  I have learned a lot from all of these coaches and respect and admire all of them as much as most other coaches do.  But, I have a special respect for Coach K.   

  Let me tell you a few stories that have never been written about in these other editorials.

 My first encounter with Coach K was at a coaching clinic up in Chicago.  This was only a year or two after his back surgery.  His team wasn’t playing so well that season.   Every coach at every clinic always comes out after they have been introduced and leaves as soon as they can when they are done.  A few sign autographs.  Coach K came up to the podium a few minutes early and began chatting with the coaches in the first few rows.   He asked how we were doing?  “Where are you guys from?”  At the time, it just caught my attention that this was a very personable guy.   A year or two later, I was a demonstrator at a Nike clinic in Las Vegas.  They had a regulation court set up on a ballroom floor so that the coaches could have players demonstrate offenses and defenses.  I had volunteered to be a demonstrator.  I was involved in Coach K’s 3-on-3 segment of teaching his motion offense.  It was really fast pace compared to the other demonstrations.  I messed up and I could hear the murmuring amongst the crowd of about 5,000 coaches.  Coach K stopped everything and motioned for me to come over.  He asked me if I was nervous.  I said, “yes sir, I am”.  He then turned to the audience and said, “You know, your players are going to be like that some time.   They are going to be trying so hard to learn what you are teaching them, that they are going to mess up.”  I concentrated really hard, and got it right.  I will never forget how he handled that situation and didn’t embarrass me.  He recognized how hard I was trying. 

  I also have to report that I have always gotten a response when I have written to Coach K.  Two situations are worth mentioning.  One year when I was first coaching, my players had some questions regarding whether or not players should drink caffeine.  I suggested we write to some college coaches.  We wrote to John Thompson, Bobby Knight,  Dean Smith, Coach K and two or three other famous college coaches.  Only one coach took the time to write back.  Coach K.  So, a few years later, I wanted to thank him for a few things.  I wanted to tell him how much I appreciated that he returned the letter to my players and also to thank him for his kindness at the coaching clinic mentioned before,  I included a photo of our team and mentioned how we too were hoping to win a championship that year.  I did not ask for anything.  A few weeks later I had a poster delivered of the 1999 team.  On it was written, “To the SMG 8^th grade team, Work hard together and always try your best.  I hope you get your three-peat.  Mike Krzyzewski”.  In fact, every time I have ever written Coach K, he has returned my letter.  It may be that his staff handles most letters, but at least he has his staff do that. 

  The other thing that I wanted to mention is how personable he is and willing to give of his time.  Although criticized for not being available, this man gives plenty of his time in my opinion.  I have seen him on several occasions: from the Nike clinics in Vegas and Chicago, to his weekend coaching clinics held at Duke, to the one summer that I worked summer camp at Duke.  He often signs autographs for hours. 

  Let me explain why he is unique.  I have watched many athletes, famous coaches and even Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys sign autographs.  These people usually stand and mindlessly scribble their name on people stuff with little to no interaction.   Each and every time I have watched Coach K in these situations, he greets each person with a hand shake, looks them in the eye and asks the person their name.  He chats with them while signing their book, poster or ball.  On my two occasions he has written, “Ray, Always follow your heart.  Good luck in you coaching career.  Mike Krzyzewski” and “Ray. You were terrific, Mike Krzyzewski”.   He stopped and patiently stood up and waited for people to fumble with their camera flashes so he could be in their photos. 

  At summer camp, I watched him take time out to go and watch every camper play in a game, even the little kids.  Whereas, most coaches barely make an appearance at their camps, he spoke each day.  He gave talks about respect, about using the words “please” and “thank you”.   This does not seem strange since, out of several dozen articles written in The National Association of Basketball Coaches book, most containing philosophies about the X’s and O’s of basketball, his article is on “Player Relations”.  At every coaches clinic of his that I have been to, he, more than any coach, spends time discussing team building, communication, etc…  When I worked summer camp, he made sure that all coaches who wanted to go to mass on Sunday morning got a ride.

  As I have grown as a coach, I have tried to emulate him more than any other because I think he demonstrated how to be as a person who leads others.  He shows a lot of respect.  So, whereas others have criticized his American Express Advertisement, I think it should be commended.  For me, all of these stories I have shared, capture the true essence of what adult leadership of young people is all about.  I as a coach, and all of us as individuals, should want each young athlete “to develop as a player, as a student and as a human being”.  I think Coach K has demonstrated that enough. 

Questions or comments? e-mail Ray at rjdepta@yahoo.com