From: officialflagrant
Mike Krzyzewski, widely known as Coach K, exerted a profound and lasting influence on JJ Redick’s college basketball journey at Duke and subsequent NBA career. Redick regards Coach K as a foundational figure, second only to his father in terms of personal heroism and mentorship [00:54:10].
Early Impact and Expectations
Upon arriving at Duke, Redick, who had aspired to play for Duke since age seven [00:26:28], was immediately challenged by Coach K’s approach. In a freshman meeting, Coach K asked Redick what he hoped to accomplish at Duke [00:55:42]. This initial framing set a high bar for accountability and personal growth. Redick noted that playing at Duke was “hard” mentally every day, as players constantly faced high expectations and opposing teams’ “A game” [00:23:44].
Honing Discipline and Character
Coach K’s coaching style pushed Redick beyond his natural talent, focusing on mental fortitude and work ethic. He expected players to “unpack their bags” and be fully committed, a concept Redick believes is less prevalent in the modern “one-and-done” college basketball era [01:19:18]. Coach K was consistently invested, never appearing to have a “bad day,” and putting “every single thing into every day” [01:54:26]. This dedication, as exemplified by Coach K watching film at 6 AM after a late-night loss, provided an “incredible lesson” for a 19-year-old Redick [01:51:51].
One of the most impactful moments came after Redick’s sophomore year, a period where he struggled, considered quitting, and faced intense public scrutiny [01:53:28]. In a meeting, Coach K told him, “We didn’t win a National Championship because you weren’t worthy of being a champion” [01:54:09]. This statement “crushed” Redick but ultimately “changed his life” [01:54:17]. Coach K’s ability to deliver such pointed criticism stemmed from his “gift” of understanding each player’s character and what specific motivations they needed [01:54:41]. He would directly confront insecurities, sometimes using strong language to push Redick, calling him a “brat” or an “entitled prick” [01:53:06].
The focus on continuous improvement was reinforced by Coach K. After Redick’s strong freshman year, Coach K asked him what he had done “this summer to accomplish” his stated goals for the next season, prompting Redick to realize he needed to do “extra” work beyond what was required [01:56:02].
Preparation for the NBA
The rigorous environment and constant testing at Duke, under Coach K’s guidance, served as an invaluable preparation for the NBA [00:24:58]. Redick stated that the professional league “ended up being easier” due to his developed ability to “navigate the pressures and the competition” cultivated during his college years [02:26:31].
Coach K’s Views on Modern College Basketball
Coach K is not a fan of the current state of college basketball, particularly the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the transfer portal [01:55:09]. Redick explains that Coach K’s concern is that coaches now have to “re-recruit every year,” making it difficult to build continuity with players who are often “one-and-done guys” and whose “minds [are] somewhere else” [01:59:59]. This contrasts with his philosophy of players “unpacking their bags” and being “all in” [01:51:57].
Lasting Legacy
Coach K’s leadership qualities, communication skills, and motivational prowess are unequivocally praised by Redick [01:52:13]. His constant investment and ability to tailor his coaching to individual players left a profound mark on Redick, teaching him the importance of dedication and personal growth [01:52:09]. This influence is a key aspect of the impact of coaches on NBA players.