Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Coach K Gets Passed on All-Time Wins List

Tara VanDerveer has more victories than Mike Krzyzewski, but the Duke basketball legend remains the winningest men's coach.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
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On Sunday evening, Stanford women's basketball head coach Tara VanDerveer (1,203-267 overall record across 45 seasons) bumped retired Duke basketball treasure Mike Krzyzewski (1,202-368) to No. 2 on the NCAA's all-time wins list via her eighth-ranked Cardinal's 65-56 home victory over Oregon State.

Following the record-breaking effort in front of Stanford fans, a video tribute to the 70-year-old VanDerveer played on the big screen. It opened with a message from the 76-year-old Coach K:

"Tara, congratulations. What an amazing achievement. And what's even more amazing is the manner in which you achieved so many victories.

"Wow. You've been such a great representative for our great sport. And you know what? You have helped Stanford immensely in the way that you have coached and handled yourself and the way your teams have played and displayed sportsmanship throughout. So, congratulations, really happy for you."

Coach K, still serving as an ambassador to Duke University, should soon fall to No. 3 among men's and women's head coaches, as the 69-year-old UConn women's Hall of Famer and 11-time national champion Geno Auriemma (1,196-159) needs only seven more wins to leapfrog Krzyzewski and reach VanDerveer's current mark.

However, the five-time Duke basketball national champion's record in the men's game is safe for years to come. Kentucky's John Calipari (804-254), a few weeks from his 65th birthday, has the most of any active men's head coaches, followed by Kansas' 61-year-old Bill Self (787-239).

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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