So here we are. The ‘indefinite suspension’ was truly a one game suspension. It was always going to be a one game suspension. Instead of Coach Mike Krzyzewski saying that in his press conference, he chose to lecture everyone how it’s his program and invited “haters” to say what they wanted. If you’re going to talk tough, then go in with both feet. Don’t talk tough and then leave for back surgery.
This is where we are now. The bulletproof coach who hated Dean Smith for having that very perch has now turned into that guy plus more.
The problem is, no program if infallible. When Grayson Allen started tripping players, Coach K could’ve have stopped it. He chose to let it go because Allen was instrumental in Duke’s national championship quests. Those who say K’s legacy is already cemented are correct. Those who imply that since his legacy is already cemented, his desire to keep stacking National Championships isn’t as high are incorrect.
This reared its ugly head in the loss to Oregon when Coach Krzyzewski felt compelled to lecture Ducks’ star Dillon Brooks. Not only was Coach K frustrated with Brooks that day but so was Allen, someone who seems to be extremely protected by those in the program.
For those who don’t know, lecturing other people’s players in a serious no-no in the industry. Ironically enough, back before Coach Krzyzewski turned into Coach K, it was the complaint on the ACC trail about Dean Smith. Funny how things change when you wear the crown.
Duke and Coach K are the Notre Dame football of college basketball. When it’s perceived that you’re the lily white program, there are going to those, especially in the internet age, who will look for anything you do wrong. This is furthered by the perception that Coach K goes out of his way to the moral determinant of all things college basketball.
This is best illustrated by how Kentucky and Duke are viewed so different.
For years, Coach Calipari and his ‘one and done’ philosophy was built up as bad for college basketball. Duke, in part because of Coach K’s access to USA basketball, routinely get players who are identified coming out of high school and ‘one and doners’ yet he doesn’t get the blow back Calipari did. Some will argue that’s because of past discretions Calipari had at UMass and Memphis but those discretions have nothing to do with his recruiting practices at Kentucky. Nor was Calipari implicated for any wrongdoing in either case.
It’s also why most have speculated that Coach K didn’t want a college coach to follow him as head coach of the US Men’s National team. That would provide the same perceived recruiting advantage to another college coach while Coach K was still actively coaching.
Those in Durham and their “subway alum” want to build up Duke as “different” but that comes with a price especially when you consider how Grayson Allen’s indiscretions were dealt with. Fans have simply chosen to ignore transgressions. Whether it was Christian Laettner stomping on Aminu Timberlake, Corey Magette taking money from a drug dealer or Grayson Allen tripping other players, perception of Duke has long since ceased being reality.
The same fans will find a way to justify Allen’s one game suspension or will say they don’t care as long as Duke wins. Never thought there would come a day when Coach K would turn into Bobby Bowden.
So as Duke moves on with Jeff Capel they will still win games and still be successful. It will be Caple, who is eager to get another job, that will deal with the transition of getting Allen back in good graces and helping clean up his reputation. In a strange way, Capel and Allen need each other to rebuild what they once had.
As for Coach K, he’ll be home polishing his crown while lecturing someone on how to clean his glass house.
Marcus “Mook” Washington is the host of Making The Cut. Follow Mook on Twitter: @mtcwithmook and IG: MTCWithMook
