the BigAmateurism monologues

In this episode, I indulge some nostalgia and reflect on Coach K’s historic 42-year career as Duke’s head basketball coach. His success and influence shouldn’t be measured solely by wins, losses, championships, All-Americans, and gold medals. Perhaps Coach K’s most significant legacy is his loyalty to the institutions that shaped his life and career. The principles of Duke’s original motion offense—balance, readiness, communication, purpose, and adaptability—are an apt template for the personal characteristics that have made Coach K the best coach in the history of college basketball. Also important in the rise of Duke basketball under Coach K were external influences early in his career, including the launch of ESPN, the US Supreme Court’s 1984 decision in Board of Regents, Duke’s 1979 Retrenchment Plan, and the advent of the US News and World Report rankings. I also discuss Coach K’s transition from his first three years to his breakthrough season in 1983-84 and two milestone events in that season—one of which has received little attention.