Men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski won his 903rd game Tuesday night, surpassing his mentor and legendary coach Bob Knight as the winningest NCAA Division I men’s basketball coach of all time. Although no benches were burned, Duke students were mostly excited and proud for Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. The Chronicle’s Anna Koelsch spoke to students on campus about their reactions to the win.
“I was in neuro class watching it on the livestream. It’s a big win for Duke basketball and for the whole school. The coolest part was how close Coach K and Bob Knight were. It’s cool how supportive Bob Knight has been to the very person who surpassed his achievement.”
—sophomore Kyle Rand
“It further represents that we have the best coach in NCAA history. He’s just a great person and really well respected. It’s great that he was able to surpass a milestone and have a record like this. He has such an important legacy—coaching the Olympics and being recognized in the NCAA for his amazing talent as a coach. It’s just phenomenal.”
—senior Lauren Pfeiffer
“They should have canceled classes for tomorrow.”
—sophomore Michael Di Nunzio
“It’s such an exciting time to be a member of the Duke community! Coach K is an upstanding man and deserving of such a title. His humility despite it all is what really impresses me. Duke is privileged to have a leader like him in our midst—903, baby!”
—junior Jessie Narloch
“I love the respect and recognition Coach K is getting from coaches around the nation. It’s so cool to be a part of his legacy and be on a campus that lives and breathes Coach K.”
—sophomore Gracie Lynne
“Even though he didn’t win every game and there were years that we didn’t win a championship, Coach K shows us that we can achieve our goals no matter what.”
—sophomore Nia Deeyor
“I didn’t have a doubt that he would get there. I’m not surprised.... He’s Coach K.”
—sophomore Akshita Iyer
“I thought it was really cool that my entire... dorm packed into the common room to watch. I’d never watched a televised game with everyone cheering for the same side. As a freshman, it was new to me.”
—freshman Dutch Waanders
“I’m so happy that he is our coach and nobody else’s. He is my hero.”
—sophomore Miranda Schartz
“It’s really admirable that he can have so many wins and still be respected by his players and fans and still be so humble.”
—sophomore Kenneth Liu
“He won?”
—sophomore Noha Sherif
“They were showing the game in the Link, and we all stopped studying to watch. I’m not the biggest basketball fan, but it’s exciting. Everyone always says Coach K is the best and this proves it.... It’s undisputed.”
—sophomore Grady Lenkin
Nolan Smith interview conducted by Nicole Kyle and Melissa Yeo
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