How Does Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski Rank Among Greatest Basketball Coaches?

Check out this interesting take on how Duke Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski compares with some of the greatest college and NBA basketball coaches.

Duke Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski is arguably one of the greatest basketball coaches of all-time, if not any coach of any sport. Duke Basketball Report recently published a very interesting piece on where Coach K should rank among the greatest all-time NBA and men’s college basketball coaches.

Their ranking is based on an argument Michael Jordan used when it was suggested Kobe Bryant was the greatest player ever and he replied, “Count the rings”. Mike Krzyzewski has five NCAA National Championships at Duke which is much lower than John Wooden’s 10 titles at UCLA, but the authors argue that Coach K’s ring count should include his work with the U.S. National Team.

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Krzyzewski is stepping down as the head coach for Team USA, but finished his career as one of the greatest international coaches in U.S. history. He compiled an 88-1 record including 76 straight wins, two FIBA World Championships, and three Olympic gold medals. The Hall of Fame coach is also currently the winningest coach in NCAA men’s basketball history and active coach with the most NCAA titles. Adding his USA Basketball experience with his Duke championships gives him 10 titles altogether which ranks Krzyzewski tied for second with John Wooden behind Phil Jackson. Here is their complete ranking of the top men’s basketball coaches.

1. Phil Jackson – 11 titles (six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls; five NBA titles with the LA Lakers)

2. (tie) Mike Krzyzewski – 10 titles (5 NCAA titles with Duke, two World titles and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA)

2. (tie) John Wooden – 10 titles (10 NCAA titles with UCLA)

4. Red Auerbach – 9 titles (9 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics)

5. (tie) Pat Riley – 5 titles (4 NBA titles with the LA Lakers, 1 NBA title with the Miami Heat)

5. (tie) John Kundla – 5 titles (5 NBA titles with the Minneapolis Lakers)

5. (tie) Gregg Popovich – 5 titles (5 NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs)

8. (tie) Bob Knight – 4 titles (3 NCAA titles with Indiana; one Olympic gold with Team USA)

8. (tie) Hank Iba – 4 titles (2 NCAA titles with Oklahoma A&M; two Olympic golds with Team USA)

8. Adolph Rupp – 4 titles (4 NCAA titles with Kentucky)

Next: Duke Coaches and Former Players Help Team USA Win Gold

Mike Krzyzewski still has a very good chance to move up the list, with Phil Jackson retired from coaching and a very talented Blue Devil team projected to win the championship for the upcoming season. Let us know in the comments what you think and whether or not you agree and congrats to Coach K on being one of the greatest to ever do it!

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