In a surprising move, Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski has been appointed as the NBA’s special adviser to basketball operations, as announced by the league on Wednesday. Krzyzewski, renowned for his illustrious career at Duke University, will begin his new role next week at the NBA general managers’ meeting in Chicago.

The NBA expressed its confidence in Krzyzewski’s ability to provide valuable counsel to the league office, team executives, and other leaders across the league on a wide range of game-related issues. With his extensive coaching experience and leadership qualities, Coach K is seen as a valuable addition to the NBA family.

Having retired in 2022 after an impressive 47 seasons of college coaching, including an extraordinary 42-year tenure at Duke, Krzyzewski’s contributions to the sport of basketball are widely recognized. Notably, he also served as the head coach of the USA Basketball men’s national team, leading them to six gold medals, including three consecutive Olympic championships from 2008 to 2016.

Byron Spruell, the league’s president of basketball operations, expressed the NBA’s honor in having Coach K join their ranks. Spruell emphasized that Krzyzewski’s passion for the game and his remarkable expertise make him uniquely qualified to contribute to discussions and provide insights on the present and future of the NBA.

Krzyzewski himself expressed his excitement to return to the game after a brief hiatus and embrace this new opportunity. He sees it as a chance to deepen his connection to the NBA and actively participate in conversations aimed at further strengthening the league and the sport of basketball as a whole. Despite his retirement from coaching, Krzyzewski’s unwavering passion for the game remains as strong as ever, and this role enables him to stay engaged with basketball at the highest level.

With an extraordinary coaching career that began at Army in 1975, Krzyzewski boasts an impressive record of accomplishments. He holds the distinction of being the winningest men’s coach in NCAA history, amassing a career record of 1,202-368 overall and an astonishing 1,129-309 at Duke University. Under his guidance, the Blue Devils clinched five national championships, and Krzyzewski himself holds NCAA Tournament records for the most victories (101) and appearances (36) by a head coach. These achievements led to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

The addition of Coach K to the NBA’s basketball operations is sure to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the league. Fans and basketball enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipate witnessing the impact of his invaluable insights and contributions in shaping the future of the NBA.