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Duke basketball: 10 realistic candidates to succeed Coach K when he retires

By Brad Berreman

Jan 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts on the court during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts on the court during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz head coach

Snyder is in his seventh season as head coach of the Jazz, with what’s on track to be a fifth-straight playoff season. Between his seven seasons (1999-2006) as head coach at Missouri (126-91 record) and his current run in Utah, he was a head coach in the NBADL and an assistant coach for three NBA teams.

But Snyder played for Coach K from 1985-1989, and he was part of three Final Four Teams. Then he was an assistant at Duke from 1993-1999, before taking the Missouri job.

Going from the NBA back to the college game on your own motivation, which is what it would be for Snyder if he leaves the Jazz now or likely anytime soon, feels like a step down. But the idea of succeeding Coach K might alter that equation. When it comes time to find Krzyzewski’s replacement, it’ll be worth checking on Snyder for Duke.

7. Scott Drew, Baylor head coach

Drew has the No. 2 team in the country right now, and the 14-0 Bears are 40-4 over the last two seasons. In his 18th season at Baylor now, Drew is 358-213 with 53 of those losses in his first three seasons (69 losses in his first four seasons) as the program emerged from scandal.

According to USA Today, Drew is the 17th-highest-paid coach in Division I this year ($3.3 million). So he’s probably due for a raise into the higher echelon of coaches’ salaries, and Baylor will have to step up at some point even ina  COVID-19 impacted environment. Precise information on his current contract status is not out there, but bigger blue-blood programs (no pun intended) surely have Drew somewhere on their radar. Would he eventually leave Baylor to succeed Coach K at Duke?