Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement tour was tough last month.
According to ESPN.com, Coach K “started to stop” over a report from the new book by Post colonist Ian O’Connor about the legendary Blue Devils coach, which was published exclusively on this website.
In Coach K: The Rise and Rule of Mike Krzyzewski, O’Connor describes how Krzyzewski manipulated Duke’s succession plan to ensure that Assistant John Scheier took over.
Harvard coach and former Duke player Tommy Amaker was the university’s first choice to take the reins of the program. However, according to O’Connor, Krzyzewski turned to Amaker and asked him not to take the job.
The call to Zoom left Amaker “heartbroken,” a source close to him told O’Connor. The book says Krzyzewski believed he would have more control over the program, led by Shyer.
Mike Krzyzewski is the coach against Syracuse on February 26, 2022. Brian Bennett
The report was released on February 15, and Krzyzewski’s daughter, Debbie Savarino, told ESPN that “he was not feeling well all day because he was really upset.” Krzyzewski did not come out for the second part of Duke’s victory over Wake Forest that night because he “did not feel well”.
The 75-year-old man was worried about injuring a “member of the tribe”, according to ESPN.
“He is 100 percent to blame,” Savarino said. “Did I do something that caused any harm that would have bothered Tommy?” I love Tommy. He is one of my boys. I never want anything to hurt my boys.
However, ESPN reporter Wright Thompson backed O’Connor’s report.
John Scheier will take over Krzyzewski Getty Images
Tommy Amaker is currently a coach at HarvardGetty Images
“A source close to both Coach Kay and Amaker described O’Connor’s report to me as accurate. “What is clear from this private dispute, which has become public, is that the inheritance plan has left some damaged feelings,” Thompson wrote.
Krzyzewski will train his last regular season match for Duke against North Carolina before leading the Blue Devils to the ACC and NCAA, where he will likely be ranked No. 1 and among the favorites to win the title.