Mike Krzyzewski Biography: Wife, Parents, Salary, Age, Net Worth, Basketball Team, Siblings, Awards

Michael William Krzyzewski, popularly known as “Coach K,” is a retired American college basketball coach. He served as the head coach of the Duke University men’s basketball team from 1980 to 2022.

Under his leadership, the Blue Devils won five NCAA championships, made 13 Final Four appearances (the most by any men’s basketball coach), secured 15 ACC tournament titles, and claimed 13 ACC regular season titles. Only John Wooden of UCLA has more NCAA championships, with 10.

Profile

• Full Name: Michael William Krzyzewski
• Stage Name: Mike Krzyzewski
• Born: February 13, 1947
• Age: 77 years old
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Retired American college basketball coach.
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parent: Emily M. (née Pituch) ,William Krzyzewski
• Siblings: Bill Krzyzewski
• Spouse: Mickie Krzyzewski (m. 1969)
• Children: Debbie Savarino, Lindy Frasher, Jamie Spatola
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $45 million

Early Life And Education

Michael William Krzyzewski was born on February 13, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Polish American parents Emily M. (née Pituch) and William Krzyzewski. He was raised in a Catholic household with his older brother, Bill.

His early education occurred at St. Helen Catholic School in the Ukrainian Village of Chicago, followed by Archbishop Weber High School, a Catholic prep school for boys in the city.

After high school, Krzyzewski attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he graduated in 1969.

Krzyzewski was raised in a Polish-American family and identified as a Roman Catholic.

Career

Mike Krzyzewski began his basketball career as a point guard at the United States Military Academy (West Point) from 1966 to 1969 under legendary coach Bob Knight.

After graduating, Krzyzewski served in the U.S. Army and was discharged in 1974 as captain. He then joined Knight’s coaching staff at Indiana University, where he contributed to their remarkable 1974–75 season.

Following one year at Indiana, Krzyzewski returned to West Point as the head coach of the Army Cadets at 28, leading them to a 73–59 record and an NIT appearance in 1978.

Krzyzewski’s coaching journey took a significant turn when he accepted the head coaching position at Duke University in 1980.

Over his 42 years at Duke, he built one of the most successful programs in NCAA history. Under his leadership, Duke won five national championships, made 13 Final Four appearances, and secured numerous ACC titles.

Krzyzewski’s coaching success solidified his place among the greatest basketball minds, earning him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once in 2001 for his individual coaching career and again in 2010 as part of the “Dream Team” collective.

Throughout his tenure at Duke, Krzyzewski became NCAA Division I men’s basketball’s most successful coach. On November 15, 2011, he surpassed Bob Knight’s record, achieving his 903rd career win.

Later, on January 25, 2015, he reached another historic milestone, becoming the first coach to reach 1,000 wins.

His success wasn’t limited to college basketball; Krzyzewski coached the United States national team, leading them to gold medals in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics and winning the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups.

Despite being offered NBA coaching positions on multiple occasions, including the Minnesota Timberwolves job in 2011, Krzyzewski remained loyal to Duke.

His commitment to the university and its basketball program never wavered. As of 2023, Krzyzewski continued to be involved with Duke, maintaining an office at the Schwartz-Butters Athletic Center and staying in close contact with his successor, Jon Scheyer.

His post-retirement focus shifted to charity work, particularly with The V Foundation and the Emily Krzyzewski Center, as well as speaking engagements and spending time with his family.

Krzyzewski retired as Duke’s basketball coach in 2022, marking the end of an era. His legacy, however, remains influential in the world of college basketball.

He remains an active figure in the basketball community and a role model for coaches and players alike.

Krzyzewski’s impact is felt both on and off the court, and his contributions to basketball have left an indelible mark on Duke University, the NCAA, and the United States national team.

Awards and Nominations

Mike Krzyzewski, known as Coach K, has received numerous awards throughout his illustrious career, including:

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2001, 2010 with the “Dream Team”)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2011)
• Heisman Humanitarian Award (2022)
• USA Basketball Coach of the Year (multiple years: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
• National Coach of the Year (12 times)
• ACC Coach of the Year (5 times)
• Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award (2012)
• Lapchick Character Award (2015)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @coachkrzyzewski
• Twitter handle: @MikeCoachK

Personal Life

Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, has married Carol “Mickie” Marsh since 1969.

The couple met on a flight when Mickie was an airline stewardess, and they tied the knot on his graduation day from West Point.

After over five decades together, they renewed their vows 2004 at Duke Chapel. Coach K and Mickie have three daughters: Debbie Savarino, Lindy Frasher, and Jamie Spatola.

Net Worth

Mike Krzyzewski, or Coach K, has an estimated net worth of $45 million.

His annual salary was around $9.7 million, including bonuses and incentives, especially during his final years at Duke University.

Over his career, he earned over $84.8 million in total compensation since 2009. Additionally, Krzyzewski has built wealth through endorsements and real estate investments.