Mike Krzyzewski on becoming Coach K, mental health and retirement

The Limits with Jay Williams

On today's episode of The Limits, Jay sits down with his mentor: the all-time great, Duke college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K. For Jay, this is the man who helped him channel his inner rage and insecurities as a teenager into reaching the ultimate heights of college basketball. He was also one of Jay's biggest supports after Jay's career-ending accident.
Over 42 seasons at Duke, Coach K won five championships and guided hundreds of players to their greatest potential. He coached icons like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Steph Curry in the Olympics, bringing home the gold three times. He built trust across generations of players--always putting in the work to reach them physically and emotionally, individually and as a team.
But as his career soared, his physical and mental health suffered, and he reveals to Jay the ultimatum that pushed him to turn to therapy to show up as a better man for his players, and for his family.
It's one of many reasons Jay calls Coach his second father.
Coach K also discusses his retirement, and the moments that now give him true happiness. And Jay and Coach get into what their relationship has meant over the years, and how that continues to evolve.
For sponsor-free episodes, weekly bonus content, and more, subscribe to The Limits Plus at plus.npr.org/thelimits. This week, Coach K talks about working with NBA Finals MVP Steph Curry.
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