Quin Snyder Recalls Near 40-Year Relationship Mike Krzyzewski

SALT LAKE CITY – Just one night before Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski coaches his final regular season game for the Blue Devils, Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder recalled his nearly 40-year relationship with the basketball legend.

Snyder played for Coach K at Duke from 1985-89, and later coached alongside Krzyzewski as an assistant for the Blue Devils between 1995-1999.

Before taking on the Pelicans, Snyder shared some thoughts on Krzyzewski’s last game and his memories of meeting the Hall of Fame coach.

“I wish I could be there,” Snyder said of Duke’s game on Saturday against the rival North Carolina Tarheels. “Unfortunately our schedule doesn’t allow for that.”

Duke teammates Danny Ferry and Quin Snyder eat lunch (from Feb. 1988): pic.twitter.com/KkchyhFrBc

— SI Vault (@si_vault) September 11, 2013

The Jazz will be in Oklahoma City preparing to take on the Thunder over the weekend while Krzyzewski coaches his last game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Though Snyder won’t be there, he said he still watches his former mentor, and the two men stay in touch.

“I’ve played for him, I’ve worked for him, he sent me a text just the other day congratulated me on something,” Snyder said. “That’s who he is. He’s thinking about other people.”

The Jazz head coach was one time a highly sought-after prospect coming out of Mercer Island in Washington and was recruited by Krzyzewski before committing to Duke.

Quin Snyder on the pending retirement of Duke MBB coach Mike Kkrzyzewski:

"His impact on the game on every level, it's been so tremendous. He's given so much to so many people."

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 2, 2021

Long before the days of Ipads, digital video, or even VHS tapes, coaches used film projectors to break down footage, something Krzyzewski did with Snyder as a teenager.

“When he came out to see me on my visit, my home visit, he had this — it looked like a big suitcase and I was surprised that it actually apparently fit in the overhead, that’s what he told me,” Snyder said of Coach K’s equipment.

“There was a wall in our living room that was a good screen, I guess. But he carried that projector across the country. I wasn’t good enough to warrant that.”

An incredible crew. A great night with great teammates and the men I admire most, the 1986 Duke Basketball team: Quin Snyder, David Henderson, Johnny Dawkins, Mark Alarie, Coach K, Tommy Amaker, Jay Bilas, Danny Ferry, Billy King. pic.twitter.com/9fD7GHtHaa

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) May 29, 2019

Despite Snyder’s modesty, his run at point guard under Krzyzewski included two ACC tournament titles for Duke and three Final Four appearances.

Snyder started 84 of his 136 games with the Blue Devils where he averaged 6.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.9 rebounds.

Duke won 118 games with Snyder running the show, including 37 games during the now-Jazz coach’s freshman season, tying a record for the most wins by a Krzyzewski team.

Beyond their success together at Duke, Snyder said he most values the mentorship that Coach K has offered him and his fellow Duke alumni throughout their lives.

“He’s been an anchor for so many people — so many players that have been there,” Snyder said. “We’ve been really lucky to have him to both rely on to rally around and he’s just given so much to everybody. Most of all to his players.”

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