Just My Type

Mike Krzyzewski

SLOW STARTER

Despite difficult early years, the Duke basketball coach reached victory number 903 on Nov. 15, passing Bob Knight for the NCAA Division I men's record.

DAN PATRICK: What loss still haunts you?

MIKE KRZYZEWSKI: At the end of my third year, when we lost 109--66 to Ralph Sampson and Virginia in the ACC tournament. There were a lot of people who wanted me fired—a lot of our money givers.

DP: In today's world you might not have made it to a fourth season.

MK: No question about it. After my third season here, my eighth year coaching [at Duke and Army], I was 111--106. The prospects of a stellar coaching career were not very bright.

DP: Of the 903 wins, which one are you most proud of?

MK: In 1986 when we won our first regular-season ACC championship in Cameron on Senior Day with the class of kids who have been the model for our program—[Johnny] Dawkins, [Mark] Alarie, [Jay] Bilas and David Henderson.

DP: Who was the most important player— not your favorite—during your tenure.