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Mike Krzyzewski Out Up to Four Weeks for Back Surgery

By Chris Brown

Dec 31, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski looks on during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski looks on during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duke Men’s Basketball announced that head coach Mike Krzyzewski will have surgery on his lower back and is expected to miss up to four weeks.

Duke recently announced that men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski will miss at least four weeks to have surgery. The procedure will take place this Friday to remove a fragment of a herniated disc from his lower back.

Related Story: Coach K Discusses Grayson Allen Suspension

The Hall of Fame head coach is currently the winningest coach in NCAA history. After numerous procedures during the offseason Coach K was prepared to be ready to go for the Olympics and then this season, but a source told ESPN that “his back has been bothering him way worse than he’s let on”. Krzyzewski had been meeting with doctors throughout the season and they finally decided that surgery is the best option. He states that as soon as he’s cleared to return he’ll be ready to give “our team 100% of my energy and attention“.

Krzyzewski will be available to coach the Blue Devils’ upcoming matchup against Georgia Tech, then associate head coach Jeff Capel will take over in his absence starting with a home game against Boston College. Capel led the Blue Devils to a win at Georgia Tech last season Coach K was out with an illness.

The news for Krzyzewski is a huge hit for the Blue Devils, who have been without key players throughout this season due to injuries and are currently without All-American guard Grayson Allen who’s been suspended indefinitely from the program. Athletic director Kevin White had this to say about Coach K and his upcoming procedure:

"“To be sure, the entire Duke community is supportive and eager to get Mike back as soon as possible. His health is paramount, and he will get the best possible care in the world by the Duke medical team. With the proper recovery time, we look forward to Mike doing what he does best – leading and teaching — very soon.”"

Mike Krzyzewski’s procedure will take place at Duke University Hospital this Friday. His recovery is expected to take up to four weeks, and if everything goes well he should return in early February hopefully before the Blue Devils’ first matchup against rival UNC. We wish Coach K the best during the surgical procedure and hope he’s able to return to full strength.

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