Duke University doesn’t expect Mike Krzyzewski to go anywhere anytime soon.
Duke athletics director Kevin White told the Herald-Sun of Durham, N.C., he expects Coach K to remain in charge of the storied men’s basketball team for at least another five years, according to USA TODAY. The timetable would take Coach K’s career past the 45-year mark and heading toward a true half century.
Coach K took over the Duke program in 1980. He has led the Blue Devils to five NCAA championships and 12 Final Fours. Before Duke, Krzyzewski coached Army for five seasons.
Coach K holds the NCAA Division I record for most career wins 1,043 (against just 320 losses). He also is college basketball’s highest-paid coach, earning around $7.3 million in 2015-16.
Krzyzewski’s work-load hasn’t lightened in recent years, as he also is the head coach of the U.S. national basketball team.
He underwent knee-replacement surgery in April and hernia surgery on Monday. But he expects to be on the bench when Team USA pursues a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Duke University Hospital who made this procedure as smooth as possible,” Krzyzewski said in a statement posted on the Blue Devils’ website, according to USA Today. “With this surgery behind me, I’ll be in great physical condition heading into the Olympics and I’m excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.”
After that, Coach K will return to his Duke duties to chase titles as he has done for nearly four decades.
Thumbnail photo via Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports Images
