Brad Stevens Thread

[diveonthefloor]

CBS.

This should be interesting.

Maybe Brad could give Dave some advice on how not to harass the help

[DevilWearsPrada]

I was just flipping the channels, and saw where Butler Coach is on Letterman!!! Good for Brad!!! He is a brillant young coach.

[DevilHorns]

Letterman called us "goons" jokingly. Stevens said some nice things about our program. A very humble man.

Letterman's trying to get him to talk smack about K, Izzo, or Duke...haha

[diveonthefloor]

Stevens was great.

Letterman was a typical dumb*ss

[hq2]

I thought this deserved special mention. Folks, can this guy coach, or what? To take a team with two guys 6-7, 6-9 and a mediocre bench, and beat Michigan State, Kansas State, Syracuse and come one missed basket from winning the national championship. Now folks, that is great coaching. This game may turn out to more memorable years from now when seen in retrospect, because it may have marked a meeting between two of the greatest coaches of all time, one at the beginning of his career and one near the end. Comments?

[JohnGalt]

I wholeheartedly agree. I'd like to add that he appears to be a 100% class act, as well. Articulate, pointed, there are many words to describe Brad Stevens, all of them positive. He has a bright future, indeed.

[DrChainsaw]

I thought this deserved special mention. Folks, can this guy coach, or what? To take a team with two guys 6-7, 6-9 and a mediocre bench, and beat Michigan State, Kansas State, Syracuse and come one missed basket from winning the national championship. Now folks, that is great coaching. This game may turn out to more memorable years from now when seen in retrospect, because it may have marked a meeting between two of the greatest coaches of all time, one at the beginning of his career and one near the end. Comments?

Before the game, when they were reviewing Butler's pathway to the finals, their 25-game winning streak and the teams they had beat, I remember thinking, "Oh God, these guys DESERVE to win". I suppose it is always possible that the players are good DESPITE their coach & he is just a good-looking front man for the team, but seriously doubt it. The teams were so well coached & so well matched that if basketball games were shorter or longer than 40 minutes, Butler could have easily been the victor. I'm glad they didn't go to OT.

[fuse]

Brad Stevens is a great coach, I agree. He is going to be presented with some interesting choices very soon if he has not already.

The first path is stay at Butler. The second path is jump to a power conference school.

Analogies might be Mark Few (Gonzaga) or Rick Pitino (Providence/Kentucky), Capel (VCU/Oklahoma), Donovan (Marshall/Florida). Pete Gillen and Skip Prosser also come to mind, I sure this could be a long list.

As much as I enjoyed the Butler game, and as stacked as Butler may be for next year, I have to believe that if Brad Stevens is going to make a change, the time is now. I will feel badly for Butler if Stevens leaves.

It will be an interesting storyline to follow.

[hurleyfor3]

Letterman was hoarse. I didn't catch the entire show, but presume this was because he was at the game (not surprising given his support for Indiana-based sports). Brad has been awfully magnanimous in defeat.

[uh_no]

Letterman was hoarse. I didn't catch the entire show, but presume this was because he was at the game (not surprising given his support for Indiana-based sports). Brad has been awfully magnanimous in defeat.

He's from indianapolis......

[DukieBoy]

The man is a great coach, but I think people have blown Butler up more than they deserve. And before I start explaining, let it be known that I managed my high school team for all 4 years Matt Howard was on it, so I'm a huge Butler fan as well


In their run through the tournament, they get credited for taking down huge seeds. But look at it closely

UTEP - tough game, but they WERE a 5 seed and favored to win

Murray State - get to play a lower seeded team over a Vandy team that would have created many problems for them, especially with Vandy's Ogilvy

Syracuse - Syracuse missed their big man, Onawaku, more than people know. Duke's 3 forwards (Howard, Hayward, Veasley) combined for 39 of the 63 points.

Kansas State - for a trip to go to the Final Four, they get a team that played one of the best games in recent memory that went into two overtimes. Plus, the game was being played in Salt Lake, which I'm not sure about the specifics, but I know it's a good bit above sea level. Think Kansas State was tired?

Michigan State - Play a Michigan State squad without the best guard and all around best player. And somehow hung on despite going 10 minutes without a FG

And the Hoosier comparison is so annoying. Butler was a top 15 team all season long. They've been in the top 25 the last 3 years. The Milan squad essentially came from no where. They were in the "Final Four" the previous year, but they weren't a stacked team by any means.

I don't mean to take everything away from Butler. They DID take advantage of every opportunity they were given, but it wasn't quite as magical as some think. They did hang with Duke for an entire game, but you need to look into the facts before calling this a great run.

[superdave]

I don't see how Stevens can leave now. What they accomplished was too special to leave now. He should develop his assistants, hit the recruiting trail and wait for the "perfect" offer to come along. That is, unless his arc at Butler means top 10 team every year, then why leave?

Butler should pay him their Final Four money as a bonus!

[NashvilleDevil]

The man is a great coach, but I think people have blown Butler up more than they deserve. And before I start explaining, let it be known that I managed my high school team for all 4 years Matt Howard was on it, so I'm a huge Butler fan as well


In their run through the tournament, they get credited for taking down huge seeds. But look at it closely

UTEP - tough game, but they WERE a 5 seed and favored to win

Murray State - get to play a lower seeded team over a Vandy team that would have created many problems for them, especially with Vandy's Ogilvy

Syracuse - Syracuse missed their big man, Onawaku, more than people know. Duke's 3 forwards (Howard, Hayward, Veasley) combined for 39 of the 63 points.

Kansas State - for a trip to go to the Final Four, they get a team that played one of the best games in recent memory that went into two overtimes. Plus, the game was being played in Salt Lake, which I'm not sure about the specifics, but I know it's a good bit above sea level. Think Kansas State was tired?

Michigan State - Play a Michigan State squad without the best guard and all around best player. And somehow hung on despite going 10 minutes without a FG

And the Hoosier comparison is so annoying. Butler was a top 15 team all season long. They've been in the top 25 the last 3 years. The Milan squad essentially came from no where. They were in the "Final Four" the previous year, but they weren't a stacked team by any means.

I don't mean to take everything away from Butler. They DID take advantage of every opportunity they were given, but it wasn't quite as magical as some think. They did hang with Duke for an entire game, but you need to look into the facts before calling this a great run.


It's a great run even looking at the facts.

[mpj96]

The guy is a real class act with a sharp, sharp basketball mind. He also seems to have great values. His post game comments cemented that impression in my mind.

Cleaning up my office this morning and noticed the USA Today pre-tourney edition. The AP Coaches poll had Duke as #3 and Butler as #8. Significantly higher than, for example, Villanova (#9), Baylor (#21), Vandy (#22). I know they are from a small conference but how in the world does the #8 team in the land end up a #5 seed in the tourney?

I don't think the seeding committee will make the same mistake next year.

[Dr. Tina]

I think Brad Stevens would probably be a great coach anywhere, but I can see Coach K's point about Stevens really being able to build something special at Butler. He's already started the process really. Plus, if they get back to the tourney next year and go far, we get to see more of Blue II again!

[hurleyfor3]

He's from indianapolis......

I know. I've been watching Letterman longer than you've been alive. :)

[ACCBBallFan]

Assuming Hayward and Mack return and Butler gives coach Brad Stevens a big raise, I would expect he stays at least one more year at Butler where they could legitimatley be Finalists again.

Then possibly cashing in with major conference program or being like Mark Few is at Gonzaga.

I like what he alluded to in post game presser that though this possibly opens up more recruits for Butler, they have to fit his criteria.

I do think this game will go down as a Classic and many parallels will be drawn between youthful Brad Stevens and coach K early years at Duke, Billy the Kid at UF etc.

[ReformedAggie]

Stevens is the media's hero du jour. I'm sure he can coach, but until he has at least ONE wrinkle on his face, or alternatively, starts looking older than his starting five, I refuse to call him a "great" coach. :) I'm going with good and lucky till I see more.

[Tim1515]

I'll tell you this...he had a great gameplan against Duke. IMO maybe the best gameplan anyone had against Duke all season.

Howard basically missed 3 or 4 layups early in the game. How many teams have tried or were able to isolate an inside player against us? Most teams attacked our perimeter assuming we we slow and had no depth.

Their defense against our big 3 was outstanding also...it just so happened we hit some really big shots.

This guy is going to be a star as a coach

[Indoor66]

I'm with ReformedAggie. I like the guy. He has had some success. I want to see him sustain that success. Look at Donovan and many others. One good run does not make a genius. Lightening can be caught in the bottle. It is keeping it there that is difficult!

[coldriver10]

Extension with Butler. No link yet, but saw it on ESPNEWS. He definitely deserves it!

Now, onto plan B for Wake Forest...

[juise]

Now, onto plan B for Wake Forest...

And onto plan F for Oregon.

I'm happy for Stevens. He's following the Mark Few model for long-term success and happiness. This model has a much higher probability of working out than taking a job at a major conference school, IMO.

[cbnaylor]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5068230

[gumbomoop]

Great for Stevens and for Butler. The Butler story gets better and better. I sure hope Duke and Butler get that rumored series started next season, and that it lasts awhile. Butler and Duke; who'd a thunk it? A storied program meets a great story.

[Eckster]

It will be interesting to hear some detail about the $$. As Coach K said in his post-game comments, Brad Stevens is a great coach and they should pay him more money! Doesn't 12 years sound like a long contract?

[stillcrazie]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was a joke. Wow.

Great for the guy to be loyal to his school, but it seems like he's killing his chances to take over another program if things take a turn at Butler or if something great opens up somewhere else. Not sure if I'd have signed on for that long.

[Cameron]

It will be interesting to hear some detail about the $$. As Coach K said in his post-game comments, Brad Stevens is a great coach and they should pay him more money! Doesn't 12 years sound like a long contract?


Could be ending about the time K steps aside...

Just sayin', as they say on the Internet.

Very unlikely, however. Chris Collins!

[SmartDevil]

I hope the contract provides for his security while giving him some freedom if the school doesn't adequately support the program in general. (And I hope he had a good lawyer!)

[coldriver10]

Great for the guy to be loyal to his school, but it seems like he's killing his chances to take over another program if things take a turn at Butler or if something great opens up somewhere else. Not sure if I'd have signed on for that long.
Well, signing a contract doesn't mean he's forced to stay there for the next 12 years, nor is Butler forced to keep him. I'm sure there are buy-out clauses both ways.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

It's a good thing when people listen to Coach K. Now, if Austin Rivers is reading... :D:cool:

[Deslok]

I know nothing of the details of this, but I suspect this is something aimed at keeping the less major conference schools from even bothering to call, reassuring recruits, etc etc to help Butler continue to build. If one of the premier jobs opened up and wanted to enquire, I'm sure Stevens would listen. He might leave Butler for say KU or UConn(where the job could be open in the not too distant future, and again I say might, not would), but he's not leaving Butler for Clemson, Oregon, Depaul, etc, so don't ask unless you've got a boatload of cash, and its an obvious step up in terms of program.

[Channing]

There aren't many candidates out there to break the all time wins record. It has taken a remarkably consistent and superior from K to finally get there. With the parity out there today, it just isnt really conceivable for any coach to win 30+ games a year for 30+ years.

That said, Stevens is the one guy out there who I think may one day be able to sniff the record, especially if he stays at Butler. Butler routinely wins 25+ games in the Horizon. If Stevens stays put, he is really the only guy out there who may once again be mentioned in the same sentence as Coach K, but this time for a different reason.

[hudlow]

Could be ending about the time K steps aside...

Just sayin', as they say on the Internet.

Very unlikely, however. Chris Collins!

I work with a guy who grew up with Stevens and was his guest over the Final 4 weekend.

Your suggestion is not totally out of bounds....

Just sayin', as they say on the Internet. ;)

hud

[OZZIE4DUKE]

There aren't many candidates out there to break the all time wins record. It has taken a remarkably consistent and superior from K to finally get there. With the parity out there today, it just isnt really conceivable for any coach to win 30+ games a year for 30+ years.

That said, Stevens is the one guy out there who I think may one day be able to sniff the record, especially if he stays at Butler. Butler routinely wins 25+ games in the Horizon. If Stevens stays put, he is really the only guy out there who may once again be mentioned in the same sentence as Coach K, but this time for a different reason.
Bring this up again in say, 20 to 25 years, and you'll have a valid point.

[dukelifer]

There aren't many candidates out there to break the all time wins record. It has taken a remarkably consistent and superior from K to finally get there. With the parity out there today, it just isnt really conceivable for any coach to win 30+ games a year for 30+ years.

That said, Stevens is the one guy out there who I think may one day be able to sniff the record, especially if he stays at Butler. Butler routinely wins 25+ games in the Horizon. If Stevens stays put, he is really the only guy out there who may once again be mentioned in the same sentence as Coach K, but this time for a different reason.

Wow- a bit of extrapolation. He is three or so years into his coaching career. For all we know, his core guys are just much better than anyone thought and he has lucked out. The true test is whether he can take multiple teams deep into the tourney- all with different personnel. There have been many coaches that have done very well at the mid major level and some looked like absolute coaching stars. With success comes pressure. Beating Butler will now be the focus of many teams.

His staying at Butler is really a smart move. He needs to develop his coaching chops and show he can do this over multiple years. He does look very solid and next year will tell a lot because if the core comes back- the expectation is a final four appearance.

I am also sensing a bit of a Brad Stevens effect out there- coaches who have not turned programs around in 3-4 years are being compared to Stevens and it is making their seats a bit hotter. I wonder if the coaching fraternity will embrace Stevens. Staying outside their leagues may help- but still his name is likely being mentioned in closed door sessions with the AD. I am pretty sure Dino heard his name this past weekend.

[northernduke]

There aren't many candidates out there to break the all time wins record. It has taken a remarkably consistent and superior from K to finally get there. With the parity out there today, it just isnt really conceivable for any coach to win 30+ games a year for 30+ years.

You think he's the Albert Pujols of college basketball coaching? The one guy who in our generation steps up to the plate to challenge the greats and doesn't flame out? I hope so, it'd be pretty cool to witness an awesome career from the darn near start of it. Especially for a guy, who from all I can tell, seems like a class act and buys into the institution of college rather than just the sport of college basketball.

[DevilHorns]

Phew. Glad Wake didn't get him.

[Channing]

Bring this up again in say, 20 to 25 years, and you'll have a valid point.


Wow- a bit of extrapolation. He is three or so years into his coaching career. For all we know, his core guys are just much better than anyone thought and he has lucked out. The true test is whether he can take multiple teams deep into the tourney- all with different personnel. There have been many coaches that have done very well at the mid major level and some looked like absolute coaching stars. With success comes pressure. Beating Butler will now be the focus of many teams.

His staying at Butler is really a smart move. He needs to develop his coaching chops and show he can do this over multiple years. He does look very solid and next year will tell a lot because if the core comes back- the expectation is a final four appearance.

I am also sensing a bit of a Brad Stevens effect out there- coaches who have not turned programs around in 3-4 years are being compared to Stevens and it is making their seats a bit hotter. I wonder if the coaching fraternity will embrace Stevens. Staying outside their leagues may help- but still his name is likely being mentioned in closed door sessions with the AD. I am pretty sure Dino heard his name this past weekend.

You know how things get in the offseason ... just trying to fill the time until next season :D:D

[dukelifer]

You know how things get in the offseason ... just trying to fill the time until next season :D:D

Wasn't Billy Donovan anointed "the next great coach" just a few short years ago- getting to the FF every year- getting any recruit he wanted? Oh how quickly things can change in the world of college sports.

[hurley1]

i would love to see us add butler to our non conference schedule......the last one before conference play gets rolling.......that would be awesome......;)

[mgtr]

Props to both Butler and Stevens for reaching an agreement quickly. Cuts down on a lot of excess stomach acid all around.

[hq2]

Let's bring this one back up, folks. Let's make one thing clear; the guy can coach. Period. To take two teams to the final four with, what, maybe one NBA level player on either of them, no McDonald's AAs or anything, is damn good coaching. I can find you 30 other college teams with talent as good as his, and they're not going to the Final Four. Look at their defense, their hustle, their ball movement, toughness down the stretch. Folks, that's good coaching. So. The question, is with K in his 60s, about to break the record, and maybe a few more years to go, what would it take to get him? Do we get him, or does a K disciple (Johnny D, etc. get it). Note that none of K's assistants has done all that great as a coach.

[peplaw06]

Let's bring this one back up, folks. Let's make one thing clear; the guy can coach. Period. To take two teams to the final four with, what, maybe one NBA level player on either of them, no McDonald's AAs or anything, is damn good coaching. I can find you 30 other college teams with talent as good as his, and they're not going to the Final Four. Look at their defense, their hustle, their ball movement, toughness down the stretch. Folks, that's good coaching. So. The question, is with K in his 60s, about to break the record, and maybe a few more years to go, what would it take to get him? Do we get him, or does a K disciple (Johnny D, etc. get it). Note that none of K's assistants has done all that great as a coach.
I feel like K is going at least 5 more years. But yeah I'd love to get this guy if he's available when K retires.

[InSpades]

Let's bring this one back up, folks. Let's make one thing clear; the guy can coach. Period. To take two teams to the final four with, what, maybe one NBA level player on either of them, no McDonald's AAs or anything, is damn good coaching. I can find you 30 other college teams with talent as good as his, and they're not going to the Final Four. Look at their defense, their hustle, their ball movement, toughness down the stretch. Folks, that's good coaching. So. The question, is with K in his 60s, about to break the record, and maybe a few more years to go, what would it take to get him? Do we get him, or does a K disciple (Johnny D, etc. get it). Note that none of K's assistants has done all that great as a coach.

What he's done the last 2 years may be the best coaching job I've ever seen. If he's not at the top of everyone's "want" list as far as head coaches go then they shouldn't be in charge of finding a head coach. That being said he obviously would only accept certain jobs and we'd all like to think that Duke would be near the top of that list. He's definitely very impressive... not just his coaching results but the way he handles himself.

I would quibble with the talent assessment though. Mack and Howard will both get drafted and I wouldn't be surprised to see either make an NBA roster next year (if we have NBA rosters next year).

[Acymetric]

You know...having gone up against K a couple times recently, think he might not be afraid of playing against him year in and year out? Might even enjoy the challenge...could State put together a package of money, resources, and promises of support attractive enough to pull him away from Butler?

[DevilWearsPrada]

Coach Stevens and Shelvin Mack are being interviewed on cbs. Class act! With the exception of Sir Charles.

Butler is a very humble team!

Still reminds me of Duke with Coach K in the 80's. And of course without the potty mouth language.

[loldevilz]

I'm with ReformedAggie. I like the guy. He has had some success. I want to see him sustain that success. Look at Donovan and many others. One good run does not make a genius. Lightening can be caught in the bottle. It is keeping it there that is difficult!

I think this is definitely part of it. Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are perhaps the best players in the country at their positions. They also play the two most important positions on the floor, center and point guard. When they go it seems very unlikely that his success will continue.

[DevilWearsPrada]

RECRUITING will be easier, than it was 2 years ago for Butler. And we have all seen and heard from Coach Stevens. What a nice man! So smart and so humble. In his interview, very very kind and generous words about Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators.

WE can bring out the max potential of non elaborate and heralded players. No Mickey D players or Top 20, 25, players. Coach Stevens just flat out coaches and his players play with HEART AND HUSTLE! They get the job done!

[burns15]

You know...having gone up against K a couple times recently, think he might not be afraid of playing against him year in and year out? Might even enjoy the challenge...could State put together a package of money, resources, and promises of support attractive enough to pull him away from Butler?

I don't think Stevens is going to leave Butler unless he gets the coaching job of lifetime offered to him. Quite frankly, he has put himself in a position where he is without a doubt the most sought-after coach in the nation (obviously not cindering guys like K, self and roy who are not going anywhere), and has the leverage of a good program and a great situation in Butler. Not only is it going to take a lot of money to pry him away from Butler, but I have a feeling it will also take a school like Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, etc. to come calling.

At least this is what would be going through my head... Everyone knows that Brad Stevens can flat out coach, and that he is the perfect person to represent your program to young men and their parents, a great role model. With the enormous amount of leverage he has at Butler (good program, good history, his family likes it, huge contract), there is no reason for him to take a job that is not cream-of-the crop. He doesn't, unlike most mid-major coaches, need to take a non-elite job in a power conference to show that he can coach at that level. We know that he can coach at that level!. So why would he take the risk of going to coach at State, where so many outside factors can control his ability to compete with Duke and UNC (I mean there is a reason that schools like DePaul, NCST, Seton Hall, Arkansas, etc. are constantly in the job market for head coaches), and risk tarnishing his image/legacy, while also throwing away his great situation at Butler.

Just my two cents worth, but who knows... he could accept the job at state the day after the tournament, you never know in this business (ex. Mike Anderson at Mizzou)

[loran16]

I think this is definitely part of it. Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are perhaps the best players in the country at their positions. They also play the two most important positions on the floor, center and point guard. When they go it seems very unlikely that his success will continue.

I think this is wrong. First, Mack plays shooting guard mainly (Van Zant plays Point). Second, Mack stays next year, so they won't be completely hurt. Third, between Smith and Marshall they'll be fine up front, and Marshall is known to be super talented.

The team's recruiting will be helped greatly by this, and they're already recruiting 3 stars with regularity.

I don't expect them to go to F4s very often.....I don't expect major programs to go to F4s very often. But if Stevens were to stay, we would expect them to go to the S16 very frequently.

This is not a flash in the pan program or coach.

[sporthenry]

He will only go to a top program when it fits his schedule. He holds all the cards and obviously enjoys the local atmosphere but it will be tough to hold out forever. Nobody knows what his end game is but he could be trying to create a Xavier or 'Zaga at Butler and ultimately turn Butler into a perenial top 10 program. But I do think he will leave after a certain point. But you have to think IU is his dream job. Duke would have a lot to offer but that is a long time away and Crean could very well be on his way out. If Stevens has a down year and Crean gets the ax, that could very well be it.

But the question of who replaces K has plenty of time to resolve itself but it would be nice to see Dawkins do some good things at Stanford. Also have to wonder if Collins would get a coaching gig or if he is waiting til K retires.

But if Duke goes outside the family, you have to think most if not all of the staff would leave and even if they hire from within, you'd have to think Collins or Wojo would leave if they felt they got passed over and I always thought having those guys around was one of Duke's advantages.

[Vincetaylor]

Stevens won't be going to State or even considering it for more than .5 seconds. No way in a million years. He's way too good for State. His in game coaching is the best in the business right now and he maximizes his talent better than anyone. Whenever he leaves Butler, if he leaves Butler, it will be for a job at one of the all time best programs, which State is not.

[gam7]

I feel like K is going at least 5 more years. But yeah I'd love to get this guy if he's available when K retires.

Another popular name on this board is Jay Wright. I think both represent wishful thinking. Coach K obviously will play a major role in the hiring of our next coach, and he often preaches how important it is for Duke to have a staff with a heavy Duke background because coaches with Duke backgrounds know exactly what it is like to be a student-athlete at Duke. My feeling on exactly who that person might be changes from year to year, but there is little doubt in my mind that whoever it is will have strong ties to Duke.

[cspan37421]

But the question of who replaces K has plenty of time to resolve itself but it would be nice to see Dawkins do some good things at Stanford. Also have to wonder if Collins would get a coaching gig or if he is waiting til K retires.

But if Duke goes outside the family, you have to think most if not all of the staff would leave and even if they hire from within, you'd have to think Collins or Wojo would leave if they felt they got passed over and I always thought having those guys around was one of Duke's advantages.


Agreed; obviously it would be nice to have someone from within the family, but none have proven themselves nearly as well as Stevens has. Amaker has actually done quite well - you have to handicap his time at UM, as his recruiting legs were totally cut out from under him because of the Fab 5's misdeeds and the subsequent probation laid upon the program, seemingly minutes after the ink was dry on Amaker's contract.

Johnny D still needs to show some progress at Stanford. Brey has been a very good regular season guy at ND. How about we draft that old assistant from the 1991 squad, Bilas, out of the booth? Kind of like the D-backs did that one year?

Collins and Wojo have been excellent assistants for us. But should they not go somewhere to head coach before coming back?

In sum, I'd love to have K's successor come from the family. But none of them has yet shown they can make a better head coach than Brad Stevens.

[cspan37421]

Coach K obviously will play a major role in the hiring of our next coach, and he often preaches how important it is for Duke to have a staff with a heavy Duke background because coaches with Duke backgrounds know exactly what it is like to be a student-athlete at Duke.

Is that the reason he gives? Shepherding a student-athlete through Duke would not, I would think, be a Herculean task. There are other schools that excel at academics and athletics. Not a ton, but enough that you need not limit yourself to Duke people for THAT reason.

I would have thought loyalty would be the reason. With more of a Duke connection, they're more willing to be loyal to the program and the school. Coach K is big on loyalty.

[gam7]

Is that the reason he gives? Shepherding a student-athlete through Duke would not, I would think, be a Herculean task. There are other schools that excel at academics and athletics. Not a ton, but enough that you need not limit yourself to Duke people for THAT reason.

I would have thought loyalty would be the reason. With more of a Duke connection, they're more willing to be loyal to the program and the school. Coach K is big on loyalty.

Yes, he gives that reason as to why he likes to have former Duke players on his staff. I did not intend to suggest that this is the only reason our next coach would have a Duke background. I absolutely agree with you that loyalty is major personal characteristic of Coach K's that I expect will be a significant characteristic of his replacement - someone who's been absolutely loyal to Coach K personally and would be absolutely loyal to the program. Needless to say, loyalty and being a former Duke player are not mutually exclusive. From my non-insider perspective, there are a bunch of folks who would qualify as both.

[NYBri]

He should develop his assistants, hit the recruiting trail and wait for the "perfect" offer to come along.

When K retires?

[Duvall]

I thought I felt sorry for the poor bastard that has to be Duke's next coach before. But now it looks like he won't just have to compete with Mike Krzyzewski, but Brad Stevens and any other hot young coach out there. Pretty rough.