I don't think he'd leave Duke, but it's not entirely unconceivable to see him coach in the pros. He lost two top players from Duke to this year's draft and with the current state of players leaving early for the pro game, he might just take a shot at the pro game. I think it would be the challenge of the pro game and that winning a championship at that level would cement his spot as arguably the greatest basketball coach ever. Plus he'd most likely have Kobe to help get his pro career off to a good start and possibly some quality players by trading Shaq. It would be very interesting in seeing him coach the Lakers and we know that the LAL HC is the most recognized HC in pro basketball.
Thursday, July 1, 2004
ESPN.com news services
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Los Angeles Lakers are in "serious discussions'' with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about their coaching vacancy.
Krzyzewski, a Hall of Fame coach, has led the Blue Devils to three national championships in almost a quarter-century at the school. He informed school officials that the Lakers had contacted him about the job, Duke athletic director Joe Alleva said Thursday.
Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed for ESPN.com that general manager Mitch Kupchak has met with Krzyzewski to discuss Los Angeles' opening.
Alleva acknowledged during a news conference Thursday afternoon in Durham that Krzyzewski and the Lakers are involved in talks.
Krzyzewski, who did not attend the news conference, was not available for comment, the school said.
Alleva said he and Duke president Richard Brodhead recently had dinner with Krzyzewski and told the coach they wanted him to finish his career at Duke.
"We have long believed that Mike is the best coach in the country,'' Alleva said in the statement. "The Lakers' interest in him merely confirms what we have known.''
Krzyzewski has compiled a 621-179 record in 24 seasons at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to NCAA championships in 1991, 1992 and 2001. Under Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have 10 Final Four appearances, eight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships and 10 conference regular-season titles.
His Duke teams have been ranked No. 1 in 12 different seasons, including each of the last seven years.
The Lakers announced June 18 -- three days after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals -- that Phil Jackson wouldn't return as coach next season. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Lakers in June 1999, guided them to championships in his first three seasons with them.
Former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been considered the front-runner to succeed Jackson. He met with team owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak last week.
Former Lakers coach Pat Riley, an executive with the Miami Heat, also met with Buss and Kupchak, but issued a statement saying he wasn't a candidate.
Among others mentioned have been Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, members of Jackson's staff. Kupchak said he planned on interviewing more than one person and less than 10 for the job and hoped to have a coach in place as soon as possible.
Thursday, July 1, 2004
ESPN.com news services
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Los Angeles Lakers are in "serious discussions'' with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski about their coaching vacancy.
Krzyzewski, a Hall of Fame coach, has led the Blue Devils to three national championships in almost a quarter-century at the school. He informed school officials that the Lakers had contacted him about the job, Duke athletic director Joe Alleva said Thursday.
Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed for ESPN.com that general manager Mitch Kupchak has met with Krzyzewski to discuss Los Angeles' opening.
Alleva acknowledged during a news conference Thursday afternoon in Durham that Krzyzewski and the Lakers are involved in talks.
Krzyzewski, who did not attend the news conference, was not available for comment, the school said.
Alleva said he and Duke president Richard Brodhead recently had dinner with Krzyzewski and told the coach they wanted him to finish his career at Duke.
"We have long believed that Mike is the best coach in the country,'' Alleva said in the statement. "The Lakers' interest in him merely confirms what we have known.''
Krzyzewski has compiled a 621-179 record in 24 seasons at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to NCAA championships in 1991, 1992 and 2001. Under Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have 10 Final Four appearances, eight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships and 10 conference regular-season titles.
His Duke teams have been ranked No. 1 in 12 different seasons, including each of the last seven years.
The Lakers announced June 18 -- three days after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals -- that Phil Jackson wouldn't return as coach next season. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Lakers in June 1999, guided them to championships in his first three seasons with them.
Former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been considered the front-runner to succeed Jackson. He met with team owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak last week.
Former Lakers coach Pat Riley, an executive with the Miami Heat, also met with Buss and Kupchak, but issued a statement saying he wasn't a candidate.
Among others mentioned have been Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, members of Jackson's staff. Kupchak said he planned on interviewing more than one person and less than 10 for the job and hoped to have a coach in place as soon as possible.