Coach K Becomes King

By - Kris Fletcher

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski picked up his 903rd career win Tuesday evening, making him the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history.

Photo by: Eileen Blass

The Blue Devils defeated the Michigan State Spartans 74-69 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The game's location was of personal significance for Coach K, who played there in the National Invitation Tournament during his senior season at Army.

"I don't know what it means just yet," Krzyzewski said afterwards. "I coach every game the same way. Maybe when it's all over, I'll be able to comprehend it all."

The victory allowed him to break the win record previously held by Bob Knight, who coached Krzyzewski during college and remains a close personal friend.

Knight was not only in attendance for the game, but was also announcing it for ESPN.

More than two hundred former Duke players were also on hand to witness the record-breaking victory, including Bobby Hurley, a member of the 1991 and 1992 championship teams, and Shane Battier, who led the Devils to the 2001 title.

Krzyzewski has been Duke's head coach for thirty-one years. He's delivered four national championships and made it to eleven Final Fours. In all, he's had just four losing season, none since 1983.