Apr 2, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski speaks in a press conference after the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2022 NCAA men’s basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
College BasketballNCAABy Sean Keeley on

We already knew that Mike Krzyzewski will no longer be the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team. But now Coach K is saying that he does not plan to attend any Duke games at Cameron Indoor Stadium this upcoming season, even as a fan.

Few people are buying that.

College basketball insider Jon Rothstein tweeted on Monday that Coach K told him he does not plan to attend any Duke games next season. It’s unclear why or how the subject was broached.

K did admit that he might attend some games on the road or on a neutral site.

“No. It could be on the road — if it’s in a venue that has a box, but that’s a distraction,” said Krzyzewski. “I don’t want to be a distraction. I don’t need for people to see me. But I want Jon (Scheyer) to know that I’m there if he needs me at any time.”

K has said previously that he “will have nothing to do with our basketball program.”

Almost immediately, reactions started rolling in from fans and media members who didn’t think this is true. Some wondered how he could not show up for games after spending decades being there. Others assume that Coach K’s ego won’t allow him to disappear from the world of Duke basketball. And others still noted that Krzyzewski has said plenty of things over the years that differed from the truth.

https://twitter.com/JesseYomtov/status/1538912606655762436

It’s hard to imagine Coach K not showing up at least a few times, especially for the North Carolina game or if the school decides to honor him (again). Like so many other college basketball fans, we’ll believe it when we see it, or, don’t see him.

[Jon Rothstein]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.

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