Mike Kryzewski

**cymonson** · 03-24-2010, 03:48 PM

Did Coach K ever consider coaching at ISU before choosing Duke? I heard that was the case but have some buddies who dont think so. Any info is appreciated.

**Final42b** · 03-24-2010, 03:50 PM

Thats what i heard, but we got Johnny instead

**jdoggivjc** · 03-24-2010, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by cymonson

Did Coach K ever consider coaching at ISU before choosing Duke? I heard that was the case but have some buddies who dont think so. Any info is appreciated.

I believe so, or at least that's been thrown around on this site before. Sounds like he was all but coming here before Duke stepped in. And then we got Orr...

**intrepid27** · 03-24-2010, 03:53 PM

I had always heard that Coach K interviewed here during a coaching search that ended with ISU hiring Johnny Orr. The story I heard was on his way home he ran into an industyr insider that he trusted. This individual told him that ISUwanted a name coach (Orr) in order to fill Hilton. Coach K indicated that he did not feel ISU interview went well and so he accepted Duke position without waiting to hear back from ISU.

**khaal53** · 03-24-2010, 03:56 PM

I believe ISU wanted Coach K and offered him. He turned us down partially due to advice he was given from Robert Montgomery Knight.

**jdoggivjc** · 03-24-2010, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by intrepid27

I had always heard that Coach K interviewed here during a coaching search that ended with ISU hiring Johnny Orr. The story I heard was on his way home he ran into an industyr insider that he trusted. This individual told him that ISUwanted a name coach (Orr) in order to fill Hilton. Coach K indicated that he did not feel ISU interview went well and so he accepted Duke position without waiting to hear back from ISU.

If this statement is true, then it makes you wonder - as much as we absolutely love what Orr did here and he'll forever be a legend at this university, considering everything Kryzewski has done at Duke, did ISU make the wrong decision?

**SCNCY** · 03-24-2010, 03:59 PM

The pre-game notes for at cyclones.com say that he was considered for the job.

"Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski was a prime candidate and was considering the possibility of taking the Iowa State head coaching job for the 1980-81 season...he took the Duke job instead and ISU hired Johnny Orr."

Iowa State and No. 5 Duke Square Off In Chicago - Iowa State University Athletics Official Web Site - www.CYCLONES.com - The home of Iowa State Cyclone Sports

**GoCubsGo** · 03-24-2010, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

If this statement is true, then it makes you wonder - as much as we absolutely love what Orr did here and he'll forever be a legend at this university, considering everything Kryzewski has done at Duke, did ISU make the wrong decision?

Impossible to say that ISU made the wrong decision when Orr stayed ~15 years and turned around the program. With Coach K, it is possible that ISU would not have given him as long a leash as they gave Orr, or, if Coach K had success, it is possible he would have bolted for another job sooner than we would have liked.

**bringmagicback** · 03-24-2010, 05:15 PM

Johnny was going to end his career at ISU. Had Coach K had a "duke like" stint at ISU, he would have left and gone somewhere else like a UNC or UK. We would have been a stepping stone. I would say we got the better end of the deal. That is of course just my opinion.

**heitclone** · 03-24-2010, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by GoCubsGo

Impossible to say that ISU made the wrong decision when Orr stayed ~15 years and turned around the program. With Coach K, it is possible that ISU would not have given him as long a leash as they gave Orr, or, if Coach K had success, it is possible he would have bolted for another job sooner than we would have liked.

Just like he did at Duke? This guy could've had any job he wanted the last 20 years and he's still at Duke. Sadly he's one of the last of a dying breed of coaches who would make that kind of a commitment to their school.

**jtd9046** · 03-24-2010, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by heitclone

Just like he did at Duke? This guy could've had any job he wanted the last 20 years and he's still at Duke. Sadly he's one of the last of a dying breed of coaches who would make that kind of a commitment to their school.

Money talks. The Duke alumni base is as wealthy as it comes.

**bringmagicback** · 03-24-2010, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

Money talks. The Duke alumni base is as wealthy as it comes.

Exactly, they have more money and are not located in Ames, IA. Which to a lot of people is a good thing.

**uro cy** · 03-24-2010, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by bringmagicback

Exactly, they have more money and are not located in Ames, IA. Which to a lot of people is a good thing.

Also...since they are a private school, are any of the terms of his contract even known?

**cyclonenum1** · 03-24-2010, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

If this statement is true, then it makes you wonder - as much as we absolutely love what Orr did here and he'll forever be a legend at this university, considering everything Kryzewski has done at Duke, did ISU make the wrong decision?

Absolutely not.

JO was a major homerun hire at that time having been a very successful coach at Michigan (including several NCAA appearances, an Elite Eight, and a National Championship game...not to mention a National COY).

Coach K was a relatively unknown up and coming coach that had been 73-59 in 5 seasons at Army (two of which were losing seasons...including his last there) with only one NIT appearance to his credit. The best thing on his resume' at that time was a strong recommendation from Bobby Knight.

Obviously, Coach K has become a legend at Duke but there is no way to know how he would have done at ISU. I'm not even sure he was offered the job at ISU.

Bottom line...clearly the facts and circumstances at the time of the hire made JO an overwhelmingly better choice than Coach K.