"We thought you needed something to train": When Jon Scheyer presented Coach K a puppy on his retirement day

After a 47-year coaching career, Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University’s legendary former basketball coach, announced his retirement in 2022. An old video of "Coach K" receiving a silver Labrador puppy recently resurfaced on Instagram. The retiring coach was gifted the pup by new Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer and the rest of Duke’s 2021-2022 team and staff.

The pup was affectionately named "Coach." They presented the puppy at Duke’s annual awards banquet on April 14, 2022, just 12 days after the Blue Devils' season-ending loss to UNC in the national semifinal. The gift was meant as a token of appreciation for Krzyzewski after he lost his beloved 12-year-old Labrador, Blue, last summer to lung cancer.

“You know, since you have a lot more time now, coach, we thought you needed something to train. And so we want you to meet the new member of your family—Coach,” Scheyer said.

Coach K's life after getting a furry friend on Retirement Day

Public sightings of the Hall of Fame coach have been scarce, with Krzyzewski staying mostly out of the spotlight. He had only a few public moments since his last game, which Duke lost 94-81 in the Final Four to UNC.

Coach K dedicated 42 of his 47 years in coaching to Duke. He was seen at TD Garden in Boston on April 20, 2022, sitting courtside for the Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets NBA playoff game. The matchup included three of his former Duke players: Jayson Tatum, playing for the Celtics, and Kyrie Irving and Seth Curry, suiting up for the Nets.

Besides the occasional social media appearance, a video on Twitter posted by Duke introduced him to new assistant coach Jai Lucas. On April 15, 2022, Duke’s new coach Jon Scheyer gave fans a peek into Coach K’s quieter life. Scheyer revealed that Krzyzewski has taken on a new challenge: training a puppy.

“He’s been working hard with the dog,” Scheyer said.

Scheyer expressed that he intends to consult Krzyzewski at various points.

“We’re never going to need a calendar to find time to meet,” Scheyer said. “He’s going to be someone I still go to at different times. We have a relationship, you know? We care about each other.”

Krzyzewski’s 42 years at Duke brought him success, earning 1,202 wins, five national championships and several records that may never be broken.

According to Scheyer, transitioning from Krzyzewski’s era to his has been smooth. The succession plan included multiple layers, including ensuring that Duke’s values, training methods and recruiting tactics remain consistent. Krzyzewski’s retirement has become an extension of his coaching philosophy.

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