Duke: Lakers, Krzyzewski discussing coaching vacancy

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Mike Krzyzewski has spent 24 years turning Duke into a basketball powerhouse and building a legacy as one of college basketball's greatest coaches. Now he's considering whether it's time for a change.

Krzyzewski met with Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on Thursday to discuss the NBA team's coaching vacancy.

”Coach K has informed us that the Los Angeles Lakers have contacted him and entered into serious discussions,” Duke athletic director Joe Alleva said.

”Obviously when you have the best coach in the country, it's not unusual for one of the best franchises in the country to come after him.”

Lakers spokesman John Black said Kupchak talked with Krzyzewski, but said the team is still considering several other candidates to replace Phil Jackson.

The Los Angeles Times and ESPN reported that Krzyzewski was offered the job. Asked earlier by The Associated Press if that was so, Black said he had no comment.

An attempt to reach Krzyzewski by phone was unsuccessful.

The 57-year-old Hall of Famer has led the Blue Devils to three national championships. His influence is felt throughout the school, which gave him a lifetime contract three years ago.

The Cameron Indoor Stadium hardwood is named ”Coach K Court.” Outside the arena, a sign designates the grassy plot where students camp out to attend games as ”Krzyzewskiville,” where the coach has been known to occasionally buy pizzas for waiting fans.

By Thursday night, about 100 students and fans had gathered there with signs and flags urging the coach to stay.

Krzyzewski has a 621-179 record in 24 seasons at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to NCAA championships in 1991, 1992 and 2001. Under Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils have 10 Final Four appearances, eight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships and 10 conference regular-season titles.

His Duke teams have been ranked No. 1 in 12 seasons, including each of the last seven.

Duke president Richard Brodhead told the AP he and Alleva had dinner with Krzyzewski on Tuesday, after Brodhead became aware that the coach had talked to the Lakers.

”If he decides that he's had a great ride at Duke, but something else calls out to him now, we'd have to understand that,” said Brodhead, who officially took office as Duke's president Thursday, succeeding Nan Keohane. ”In the meantime, you can be sure we'll do all we can to persuade him that Duke and the college game are the right place for him.”

The mother of incoming freshman David McClure, said her son was first informed of the news in a call from assistant coach Steve Wojciechowski on Thursday.

Betty McClure said she spoke with Krzyzewski over the weekend when the family brought the 6-foot-7 swingman to Durham for summer classes, and the coach gave no indication of leaving.

”They said that every year he gets approached by some team or another,” she said from her home in Ridgefield, Conn. ”And so, how can you really expend a lot of energy being angry or anything until you know what he's going to do?”

David McClure, reached Thursday night, said he had been told by the coaching staff not to comment.

The Lakers announced June 18 — three days after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals — that Jackson wouldn't return. Jackson, who signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Lakers in June 1999, guided them to championships in his first three seasons.

Former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been considered the front-runner to succeed Jackson. He met with team owner Jerry Buss and Kupchak last week.

Former Lakers coach Pat Riley, an executive with the Miami Heat, also met with Buss and Kupchak, but issued a statement saying he wasn't a candidate.

Among others mentioned have been Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons, members of Jackson's staff. Kupchak said he planned to interview more than one person and less than 10 for the job and hoped to have a coach in place as soon as possible.