Duke basketball: Speculation of Coach K replacement takes chaotic turn

Speculation of who will replace Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has taken a turn. 

It is still the million-dollar question that surrounds the Duke basketball program and potential answers as to who will eventually replace Mike Krzyzewski on the sidelines in Durham. And it took a turn on Wednesday morning.

Approximately 12 hours after the Boston Celtics saw their season come to an end against the Brooklyn Nets, multiple reports have confirmed Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge will retire and that head coach Brad Stevens will relinquish his coaching duties to replace Ainge in the front office.

NBA Twitter was put in shock and set ablaze.

However, Stevens was rumored to be in consideration for the head coaching job at Indiana University this spring, a rumor he quickly shot down after reports surfaced of a seven-year, $70 million offer.

Brad Stevens also has been rumored to be a potential successor to Mike Krzyzewski in Durham. But now with years of coaching experience in the college and professional ranks, he will take a break from the sidelines while getting front office exposure.

Prior to Wednesday’s news, Stevens had been under contract to coach the Celtics through the 2025-26 season, but that could be subject to change given his new job status.

Other potential replacements for the Duke basketball head coach

It seems as if the years (months?) are numbered for Mike Krzyzewski as the head coach of the Blue Devils, and clearly, there are several former Duke players and assistant coaches who are also qualified to take over the reins in Durham.

Jeff Capel, Bobby Hurley, Tommy Amaker, Chris Collins, and Jon Scheyer all come to mind, just to name a few, as the coaching search could certainly be set wide whenever the 74-year-old hangs up the whistle.

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However, it certainly seems possible that Krzyzewski could hand-pick his replacement, or have a very strong say in who new Duke Athletic Director Nina King should hire.

Do Mike Krzyzewski and Brad Stevens have a good enough relationship for the former Butler and Celtics head coach to land the job in Durham?

Only time will tell.