Blue Devil Country

Coach K Gives Rousing Speech to Duke Football Team

Duke's master motivator worked his magic on football players.

Matt Giles

Retired Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
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Mike Krzyzewski retired as Duke basketball head coach in April, but he's still in Durham as an ambassador to the school. So this past week, new Duke football head coach Mike Elko wisely called on the legend to impart a few words of wisdom on a program that won only one ACC game across David Cutcliffe's final two seasons at the helm.

Coach K didn't disappoint.

According to tweets from some of those in attendance, the 75-year-old spoke for roughly 30 minutes, seemingly trying to get the gridiron Blue Devils to run through a brick wall.

On Saturday, Duke football's official Twitter account released snippets of the five-time national champion's life-lessons pep talk at the podium:

Three winning messages from Coach K to the Duke football players:

1. "You're not preparing just to become a winning team. Coach Elko and I have talked about this...He's not here to produce a winning team; he's here to produce a winning program. A winning program will produce winning teams. And in order to have a winning program, you have to have a winning culture."

2. "You're not playing for Duke. You are Duke football. And what the hell does that mean? What the hell does it mean that you are Duke football? Every once in a while, in your quiet moments, put your damn thing out there and imagine, Damn, I am Duke football. I'm not just playing. I'm not the linebacker. I'm not the running back. I'm Duke football."

3. "You have to own it. It's tough to beat somebody that owns something."

RELATED: No Pressure as Duke Receives One Dismal Projected Ranking

Mike Elko and his eager Blue Devils kick off their 2022 campaign on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Temple Owls. And the above video suggests Mike Krzyzewski should be watching, perhaps even cheering in attendance at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for more Duke football news.

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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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