Duke Head Coach addresses recent rumors about NJ Nets interest
Recent reports in New Jersey suggested that Coach K is the Nets’ top priority to be their new head coach and possibly general manager. Seems like a good move by the Nets as they look to make a splash under the incoming ownership of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. There’s no question if the Blue Planet staff also ran an NBA team or a basketball team of any kind, we would want Coach K running the show too.
After our win over Maryland, a reporter asked Coach K about the recent rumors. The Duke Head Coach responded, “The guy is Russian. You think he’d hire a Polish guy? No one has contacted me. If they do, saying ‘Nyet’ would be easy to say.”
Coach K added Monday on ESPN Radio when asked about it again, “I have a lot of respect for the Nets. I think it is a good job. And the Nets haven’t offered that… But I am close friends with (Nets President) Rod Thorn and that is a great job for a coach to come in and build something.”
When pressed about it and asked if anything could change his mind (i.e. $20 million and/or Jerry Colangelo joining the Nets), Coach K stated, “I really love what I do. I don’t know what price you would pay for that but I’ve been lucky. I said after the game Saturday — It was neat with the crowd and my family — It has been a privilege and an honor to coach at Duke for 30 years. I could not have dreamed of a better situation for me. I’ve led a really great life with my family and team here. I don’t know why you would want to change that. I make enough money. I want to be happy doing what I love to do, instead of doing what I am paid to do. I am paid right now to do what I love to do and what a cool thing that is.”
The response was not a surprise to the Duke faithful as Coach K has previously turned down the Lakers (including Kobe, the Laker tradition, big money and palm trees) as well as the Celtics and Trailblazers among other job offers. With a lifetime contract and 1,000 games under his belt, the 30-year Duke coach has stated on multiple occasions that he intends to finish his coaching career in Durham (hopefully after another 1,000 games!).
Tags: Coach K
