A vacancy no longer.
Following a Thursday report from The Athletic's Brendan Marks, Duke officially announced Tuesday afternoon that former Oklahoma assistant Emanuel Dildy will be joining the program, filling the final vacancy on head coach Jon Scheyer's 2023-24 staff after former assistant coach Amile Jefferson left for the Boston Celtics in June. According to Marks' report, Scheyer considered other options — including an unnamed candidate with substantial Duke ties — before ultimately deciding that Dildy was the man for the job.
“I have known Emanuel for quite some time and have great respect for his recruiting and on-court coaching abilities,” Scheyer said in a team release. “What stands out is his tireless work ethic, having most recently been on staff with two highly regarded head coaches in Chris Collins and Porter Moser. He’s a Chicago guy and someone that will bring tremendous energy and passion to Duke. We’re excited to welcome Emanuel and his wife Rebekah to Durham and look forward to seeing his immediate impact on our program.”
Dildy's principal strengths are as a recruiter, adding even more talent to a recruiting room that has brought in a top-two class in each season of Scheyer's tenure. Dildy worked under former Duke assistant coach Chris Collins at Northwestern, helping the Wildcats bring in the highest-ranked class in school history and a pair of top-100 recruits, and at Loyola Chicago, recruiting the players that spurred a Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2018. In 2021, he moved to the Sooners' staff under head coach Porter Moser — the Ramblers' coach during that run.
With the appointment, Scheyer's 2023-24 staff is officially filled, with one extra member after a change in NCAA rules that permits one additional tenured assistant coach. Chris Carrawell is joined by the recently promoted Jai Lucas as associate head coaches, with special assistant to the head coach Mike Schrage, assistant coach Will Avery and now Dildy.
“I am greatly humbled and excited to join Jon Scheyer’s staff and the Duke Basketball family,” Dildy said. “I have the utmost respect for the legendary tradition and standards established by [former head coach] Mike Krzyzewski and all of the great players who’ve worn the Duke Blue. I am grateful to Coach Scheyer for the opportunity and look forward to becoming part of the Brotherhood.”
The Blue Devils kick off their campaign at home Nov. 6 against Dartmouth.
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Andrew Long is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 119th volume.