Duke Basketball Legend Coach K Cracks Joke About UNC Hire

The five-time national champion reminds everyone of Duke's recent football success against the Tar Heels.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, depicting the movements and energy of a college basketball game between Duke and UNC. The players and the court are broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes, creating a dynamic and abstract representation of the rivalry.The storied Duke-UNC rivalry is reimagined through a cubist lens, capturing the raw energy and competitive spirit of the two teams on the court.Denver Today

Duke basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski, also known as Coach K, couldn't resist making a joke about the University of North Carolina's decision to hire former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone as their new men's basketball coach. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Coach K referenced Duke's recent football victories over UNC, which were led by head coach Manny Diaz, as he welcomed the news of Malone's hiring.

Why it matters

The Duke-UNC rivalry is one of the most storied in college sports, and Coach K's comments highlight the ongoing competition between the two programs, even extending beyond basketball to football. Krzyzewski's remarks also suggest that UNC's decision to hire a former NBA coach could signal a shift in the university's athletic department towards a more professional approach.

The details

Coach K was appearing as a guest on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show when the news of Malone's hiring at UNC broke. In his initial response, Krzyzewski quipped, "Well, they had an NFL champion [Bill Belichick] hired as the [UNC football] coach, and Duke beat Carolina in football this year." The 79-year-old coach then went on to praise Malone as a "terrific coach and a terrific guy," while also noting that the former NBA coach will likely face a learning curve in adjusting to the college game.

  • Duke basketball has won four of its past five games against the UNC Tar Heels since Jon Scheyer succeeded Mike Krzyzewski as the head coach in Durham prior to the 2022-23 campaign.
  • Duke football also went on to capture its first ACC title in 36 years after defeating Belichick's Tar Heels 32-25 in late November 2025.

The players

Mike Krzyzewski

The legendary Duke basketball coach, who won five national championships with the Blue Devils, is now 79 years old and recently stepped down from his head coaching role, handing the program over to Jon Scheyer.

Michael Malone

The 54-year-old former head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who led the team to an NBA championship in 2023, has been hired as the new men's basketball coach at the University of North Carolina.

Manny Diaz

The current head coach of the Duke football team, who led the Blue Devils to their first ACC title in 36 years after defeating Bill Belichick's UNC Tar Heels in 2025.

Bill Belichick

The former NFL head coach who was hired as the new head coach of the UNC football team prior to the 2025 season.

Jon Scheyer

The current head coach of the Duke men's basketball team, who took over the program from Mike Krzyzewski prior to the 2022-23 season.

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What they’re saying

“Well, they had an NFL champion [Bill Belichick] hired as the [UNC football] coach, and Duke beat Carolina in football this year.”

— Mike Krzyzewski, Former Duke Basketball Head Coach

“There is time for adjustment. That's why I said it takes longer if you ever get adjusted coming from the pros to college. And Mike is a terrific coach and a terrific guy.”

— Mike Krzyzewski, Former Duke Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

It will be interesting to see how the Duke Blue Devils, led by head coach Jon Scheyer, fare against the new-look North Carolina Tar Heels under the guidance of former NBA champion coach Michael Malone in the upcoming basketball season and beyond.

The takeaway

Coach K's lighthearted jab at UNC's hiring of Michael Malone, a former NBA coach, highlights the enduring rivalry between the two basketball powerhouses. However, Krzyzewski's praise for Malone's coaching abilities suggests that the new Tar Heels coach may pose a formidable challenge to the Blue Devils in the years to come, as UNC appears to be shifting towards a more professional approach in its athletic department.