Lakers, Krzyzewski Discuss Coaching Job

Add “Coach K” to the list of potential Los Angeles Lakers head coaches.

Duke University head men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is in “serious discussions” with the Lakers, said the school’s athletic director, Joe Alleva, in a statement.

“Coach K has informed us that the Los Angeles Lakers have contacted him and entered into serious discussions to fill their vacant head coaching position,” Alleva said. “We have long believed that Mike is the best coach in the country. The Lakers’ interest in him merely confirms what we know.”

Krzyzewski, a Hall of Fame coach, has led the Blue Devils to three national championships in his 24-year coaching career with Duke. He has compiled a 621-179 record, including 10 Final Four appearances, eight ACC Tournament championships and 10 ACC regular season titles, while at Duke.

The Duke athletic administration would not want to see Krzyzewski go, stating “we hope that Mike will decide to stay in college coaching at Duke.”

The Lakers have also identified Tom Izzo, the Michigan State coach, as a possible replacement for Phil Jackson, along with Rudy Tomjanovich, Pat Riley and Jackson’s former assistants, Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis.