Krzyzewski will join 700 club if Blue Devils win today

RALEIGH, N.C. – The irony of the timing of his march toward 700 career victories is not lost on Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski, 54, will become the 17th Division I coach with 700 wins if No. 9 Duke (5-0) defeats Toledo (1-3) tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Meanwhile, college athletics is buzzing about Notre Dame’s firing of Tyrone Willingham after three seasons and other high-profile, perhaps hasty dismissals of football coaches, such as Ron Zook at Florida and David Cutcliffe at Mississippi.

The common complaint about those decisions is that the coaches weren’t given enough time. But Krzyzewski said time isn’t the issue.

“It’s not so much just giving time,” Krzyzewski said. “I think it’s forming a team with the coach. During my 25 years here at Duke, whoever the president was or the athletic director or the administration, we’ve been on the same team.”

Tom Butters, then the Duke athletics director, demonstrated that team approach early in Krzyzewski’s career. Duke was 38-47 under Krzyzewski after three seasons, but Butters stood behind him.

Krzyzewski has rewarded that decision with three national titles and 10 Final Four appearances. His players say he is an unbelievable motivator who gets the most out of them.

“The passion he has for the game just carries over to his players, and sometimes it’s just overwhelming,” said junior guard Lee Melchionni.

Krzyzewski is 699-240 in 30 seasons.