As the head coach of the Duke University basketball program, Mike Krzyzewski – aka Coach K – skyrocketed the Blue Devils to the top of the pack. Winning more championships for Duke basketball than anyone who came before him, Coach K is now giving his thoughts on the man who came after him – his successor, Jon Scheyer.
With Duke set to face off against TCU in the second round of game play in the NCAA March Madness tournament, many fans and commentators alike have given their opinions of Scheyer’s performance as Duke’s head coach. Now the icon himself, Coach K, is providing the final word on the matter. Here’s what Coach K thinks about Scheyer and his leadership of the Blue Devils as March Madness action continues to unfold.
Here are Coach K’s True Thoughts on Scheyer as Duke’s Head Coach
GettyDURHAM, NC – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to his team following their 99-69 win against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. The win gives Mike Krzyzewski his 1,000th victory as Duke’s head coach and his 1,073rd overall (73 at Army).
(Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
The transition from Mike Krzyzewski to Jon Scheyer marked one of the most significant passing-of-the-torch moments in collegiate basketball history – with fans left on the edge of their seats in nervous anticipation of how the Blue Devils might perform after Coach K’s exit. Anxieties were further heightened by the fact that the transition of power was to go from a legendary figure in NCAA basketball to a first-time head coach. However, the fears of fans and hopeful wishes of rivals were soon dashed as Jon Scheyer has continued Duke’s reign in Division 1 men’s basketball.
In an interview with The Atlantic published ahead of the Duke-TCU matchup on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Coach K revealed his thoughts about Jon Scheyer’s leadership of Duke basketball, saying, “He’s done a magnificent job. I’ve said [to Scheyer], ‘You’ve done that better than I would have if I stayed on.’”
Jon Scheyer’s Leadership Has Made for a Seamless Transition
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 13: Head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils looks on in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the semifinals of the men’s ACC Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 13, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Rather than conducting a nationwide search for the perfect Coach K replacement, Duke chose continuity within their program by naming Jon Scheyer, a former Duke basketball player and assistant under Mike Krzyzewski, to the position. Scheyer officially took over as head coach of the Duke Blue Devils in the 2022-2023 season.
In his first season as head coach, Scheyer led Duke to a 27-9 record along with winning the Atlantic Coach Conference (ACC) title and making a strong national appearance in the NCAA tournament. His debut was one of the most successful in the program’s history. With the stamp of Coach K’s continued approval of Scheyer’s coaching and leadership, it seems like the young head coach was the perfect pick for the program.
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