Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski - sports' ultimate fraud - 1,000 times more annoying than Phil Mickelson

Agreed! I can't stand Duke, and always root against them. They're a corporation, not a real basketball team.

Give me a break - stick to golf. Have you ever met the man? Have you ever actually been near him during a game or after? Or did you attend UNC, Maryland or Kentucky? Just wondering...

Hey, Jonathan. Always willing to answer wonderings ...

I have met the man. I covered college basketball for years and sat right by the Duke bench on press row during a showcase game at the Meadowlands (New Jersey). Sat through numerous Coach K press conferences. Covered his team in other NCAA Tournament games from press row. Know former Duke beat writers who can tell you stories about how he refused to actually meet with the writers even though they were on campus. Instead he would make them sit in an office and do a conference call even though he was just upstairs. Didn't want in-person interviews he couldn't control. Unless you're Dick Vitale or someone else who kissed his butt regularly.

I also was the beat writer for Seton Hall when his former player and assistant Tommy Amaker was head coach.

I think I know a little about the Duke way under Coach K.

Didn't go to an ACC school myself.

where did you go to school?

I just want to make certain I have this right.... You, a low rent, poor writing schlep(what web site is this drivel on?) are going to sit behind your keyboard and degrade Mike Krzyzewski? Or Phil Mickelson for that matter? Your another writer in a long list of under achievers who can't DO- so they write (read, criticize). Christ, there goes 30 seconds of my life writing this that I'll never get back.

Please unsubcribe me to this site. I'm tired of the entire staff belittling, berating and badgering everything that is good about golf, golf courses and even basketball coaches.

Sad, negative, attempt to win attention.

Well let met get this straight. You and the other ESPN wannabees got your feelings hurt because Coack K didn't let you sit face to face with him in his office. Boo hoo hoo! Get over it crybaby. You and others like you make me sick with your holier than thou attitude that you get to dictate the conditions you want. You were on his turf so don't expect red carpet treatment from someone who has accomplished more than you probably will in your life. Even if you go on to invent world peace, what gives you the right to publically demean someone who decides to handle a situation in his way, and because you don't agree with the way he does things, he is is a "fraud". You are the real "FRAUD" my man. Didn't you say you had been in his press conferences? What more do you want? Coach K has more to do than set around with a bunch of whiners who are going to write what they want to anyway because they had rather put their own spit, ugh, spin, rather than print the truth. He knows that, the vast majority of sports readers know it, so grow up Baldwin!!

Oh man, get a life. Are you jealous or just another "wannabe"? If you are successful, everyone thinks they should have access to you, and when they don't, they take potshots at you.
Even if you don't like the man, his program is successful and his players graduate. How many from Alabama, Arkansas or Florida graduate?

Nice try buddy. Stick to what you know, (ie. over-priced golf trips and buffetts in Myrtle Beach). There is a reason you write for this website. Maybe one day you'll grow up enough to write for something that has meaning. You obviously have no idea who this man is or what he has done for the game, his school, or his community. Leave the sports writing to a real sports writer with knowledge of the game.

What a bunch of dookie butt-kissers we have responding to this column -- who, I might point out, never denied the truth of what Chris writes.

The k-rat, as he is known in ACC territory, is one of the most arrogant, hypocritical people ever to step foot on a basketball court.

Need evidence? Go to www.truthaboutduke.com for the real story.

Beautiful. Could not be more truthful. I'm sick of Coach K and his holier than everyone mantra. Everyone knows Duke gets all the calls, gets the best draws and gets all the television coverage from its own network (ESPN). I think Dickie V and Mike Patrick are actually on the Duke payroll. Look at how many Dookies take it to the next level and perform well. Elton Brand is the only one doing anything right now in the NBA, while UNC players and Arizona players clearly perform better. Duke is highly overrated.

I'll bet Redick is a major flop in the NBA because he'll actually face people who can get in his face and guard him. He can't get a shot off on his own. He has to come off of screens.

I'll start off by saying I am a Duke grad and a huge Blue Devils basketball fan.

I don't think Coach K is a saint. I think he can be a jerk. I wish he had Roy Williams' personality. I think he coaches in an extraordinary way and I don't have to like him to like what his results are -- and you can't argue with his results.

I think Dick Vitale is a blathering idiot whose words hurt the players and teams he's extolling. ESPN needs to shut him down, not just to humor the anti-Dukers in the world.

I equally dislike the whiners who cry about Duke getting all the calls. Show me some stats, then show me the stats for UConn, UNC, and other top-performing teams. It's easy to whine about a team like Duke. It's easy to point to truthaboutduke.com, which is managed by a Maryland fan (hardly an unbiased source). It's harder to admit you hate a team because it seems sanctimonious (more the media's fault), wins a ton of games (could that have something to do with Coach K), and beats the crap out of your team regularly.

But hey, I'm a Red Sox fan and I can talk about the Yankees without discrediting what they've accomplished.

I'll lay you 8-5 that the rat from Cameron is at least 2,000 times more annoying than me. (Signed) Phil M.

Give me a break dude. Of course Coach K doesn't want to give you guys anytime, because he is smart enough to know that all you'll do is take what he says out of context or change his words to make him look bad. I happened to have met Coach K last year after a Duke basketball game. He actually spent time with everyone waiting to see him (fans) and even made time for pictues and conversation. I guess he only makes time for people who resect him, so I guess that leaves the press out. And as for the cussing and profanity, please tell me the name of one college coach that doesn't use profanity. And if you actually named one, you are a liar just like the idoit that wrote this.

Coach K is an honorable man. I really don't know who you are, but you sound like a very bitter, under-achieving Michigan State guy.

So, based on your in depth analysis, Coach K is a fraud since he has a foul mouth. Brilliant analysis. Oh there's more? He looks like a rat? That does it. We should burn him at the stake. Let's not worry about graduating players and running a first class, clean program. Silly talk. He cusses and to some looks like a rat so therefore he is the anti-christ. Love the logic. Never been to this sight and now I know why.

One of my great remembrances of Wake Forest was Coach Jesse Haddock. I was a punk writer for the Old Gold & Black, and he would invite me in for a q&a session. In that drawl of his, he would say "Rawn, let's just set and talk, and you write things down the way you know I mean them." If I had to take the team to task, he would give me some good-natured needling, but would support me 100%. The man could not play golf worth a lick, as his players would tell you, but it didn't take a golfer to coach a team.

I can't wait until Coack K gets his 1,000th win. Someone should investigate those "fradulant" wins. LOL

You must be a UNC fan...You write for a golf website, what exactley do you know about basketball and where are the stats that Coach K is a fruad? All I know is that he knows how to run a good program and if you can't stand that then so be it...Maybe you should get some facts about him being a "fruad." What goes around comes around and you should really think about that when you wrtie stupid articles that have no merit in them at all. Try sticking to golf for the website...

Chris Baldwin, you're just annoying, but not yet a woman, either.

So let's sum up:

Plus column:

- 3 Nat. titles, 10 Final Fours, 10 ACC Tournament titles, Umpteen National Players-Of-the-Year, 95+% graduation rate, clean program

Minus column:

- Curses on the bench, limits reporters' access

Get a life. You need one.

This sounds like a pathetic attempt to get people to read whatever crap u usually write about. Get a life!!!
JACKASS!!!!!

You know nothing about Coach K or writing a column! Good luck as a loser in life.

Oh Chris, Chris, Chris. I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I'll just have to put up a blog of my own.

Who the heck does that Coach K think he is? How dare he decide for himself who he wants to talk to.

Still, I'm sure basketball coaches around the world will be happy to learn that the key to having the winningest program over the last 10 years is to simply have a good publicist, lol. This revelation should make all their jobs much simpler now.

Ahhh, envy is the sincerest form of flattery, and you, my boy, are filled to the brim with it.

Ooooo, Baldie is fishing for hits again.....

Chris. God himself just told me that you are a schmuck! I also just heard that your wife is cheating on you b/c she just heard how much of a dweeb you are. Stick to writing about something that you know...how to grip a shaft and swing it around and around.

You suck. Coach K wins. Go Duke.

Go Duke!!!!!

I am sure that Coach K swears like a trucker. So too does Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and hell, probably the Pope for that matter. You probably do too...Get over it.
By the way, Duke basketball is a corporation just like every college basketball team in the big conferences.
And the Phil-Coach K comparison, you gotta do better than that my friend. At least Coach K shows when he's mad instead of grinning after a three-putt from 3 inches.

Duke is entirely populated by geeks and nerds. You team sucks and your coach is an arrogant self-serving jerk. Your all just pissed you didn't get into UVA anyway.

Let he that hath not sinned throw the first stone... gee Chris, I didn't know you were perfect. It sounds like you're the one who claims to be holier than thou! Sheer jealosy is dripping from your "article," (see I can write too). If you know anything about Coach K, you would know that he had back surgery in 1995 and I believe two hip replacements after the '99 season. Maybe that's the reason he restricts the media (I know it is). Would you rather the guy be a family man and not talk to you, or the other way around? Then you would ridicule him for not spending enough time with his family. I am a coach too and believe me, I've sworn or at least wanted to. And don't tell me you haven't! Bottom line: what the guy has done is more impressive than what any other coach has done in NCAA history (don't forget that UCLA only played 2 games to get to the final four in the '60s and '70s, and only conference winners got there). He's a great coach, and when it's all said and done, he'll have the all-time record for wins. And when the USA comes back with the Gold in '08, you'll be right back at the Schwartz-Butters building trying to scan your finger and get to the 6th floor - either that or write another one of these moronic "columns" about how he's too big for all of us. I can't believe I wasted my time responding to that waste of the English language.

John Wooden, Dean Smith, Bobby Knight and even Pat Summitt are better coaches with better legacy's then Coach K. When all is said and done Jim Calhoun and probably Roy Williams will both be more highly regarded. Coach K. and the Duke program can both suck my left one. By the way he better win in 08 what with Lebron, Kobe, Wade and all those other superstars, come to think of it he's not used to coaching guys who are actually succesful in the pros.

Well to start out what an insignificant little writer to insult an actual professional who is successful at what he does. I wonder why you are writing for a blog instead of a newspaper and getting paid for it? Please your "article" about Coach K presents no factual evidence, no comparisons to other coachs, no incidents, and not even any actual anecdotal evidence. Great job regurgitating what everyone has been saying on EPSN and SI for the last couple of weeks. Is there any possibility that you could have the intelligence to perhaps write a semi-readable/intelligent article? Maybe even with research involved? C'mon give it a try. It might be fun!

How in the world did you get your job? It is clear that you have never picked up a basketball in your life or been coached to do so. If your virgin ears can't take a little heat then find another sport. But then I guess that is why you cover golf. Any activity where you have to whisper---well never mind. I have been lucky enough to attend several Duke practices. Coach K runs a practice like a military exercise. And that equals success. NO, he is not saint, but he can coach and get the most out of his players. No team has controlled the ACC, not even UNC under the great Dean Smith, like Duke in recent years. The one constant with Duke winning 7 of 8 titles is Coach K. Love him or hate him, the man can coach.

As a Duke fan, who attended every game in my 5 years as a graduate student, I can assure you that most of your comments are complete fiction. K's language does not differ significantly from that of any other coach I've seen. The class he demonstrates with his players, opponents, and the fans is without equal. His accomplishments are already second only to Wooden. Fraud? K is the real deal. Fraud is a small small man like yourself propagating this kind of crap on your little web site. Pleasee understand your belief that you have any significant contribution to make to educational discourse on sports in mistaken. My hope is that one day you can see through your ignorance and come to learn that tearing down all that is good in the world is not the way to build your self esteem. Meanwhile, you could at least try to do less harm.

look at the facts you idiot, and what fraud means and then look in the mirror. no wander your story is on a travel site and not a sport site.

Hey, when a fan spews vile language loud enough for the people around him to hear, they call the security guards and have him tossed from the arena. Why should coaches get a free pass?

Coach K is a leader, who is no different than a General Patton or a CEO of a large corporation. Successful people don't get that way by fumbling around. Also, successful people realize that you have two faces: one that you wear to the public and one that you wear to people you care about. That does not constitute fraud.

It's only a matter of time before the same criticisms are hurled at Roy Williams at UNC. I find it hard to believe that Coach Williams is any different. His "aw shucks" southern- boy charm is just as much of a facade as Coach K's modesty. Inside, both men are fierce competitors. But each is anxious about his success, and understandably reluctant to talk openly about it. And why should they? So media writers can bash them for being arrogant?

You are so out of your tree! Crazy. Completely crazy! Not to mention jealous. Yes Coach K does have a foul mouth sometimes, but usually it is justified. So I guess you have never swore in your life? You saint you.

It's funny because Coach K sits a lot higher on the foodchain then you do. How much money do you make? How many people look up to you?

It's truely sad you even have a column.

Read on the Duke site that Chris Baldwin had a lot of negative things to say about Coach K. "Who is Chris Baldlwin?. I clicked on the link, and Hey!, I still don't know who he is.

Dook fans need to kill themselves, that's the only conclusion I can make after read all this drivel. Maybe your self important loser asses can realize that what this guy said is true. That Coach keryeyrsayrdasydswski (sorry, I didn't know how many Ks or Is or Ys is in his fucking last name) has more security than most military installations because his job is THAT much important than protecting the country. You know what, if you supposed recruit two to three All-Americans every year, maybe you are supposed to win and not be beatem by a completely flawed LSU team in the NCAA tournament. Ask Casey Sanders, Chris Burgess, Chris Carrawell, Michael Thompson, Elton Brand, Eric Meeks, Jason Capel, and a bunch of others about how they felt at Dook. Fucking loser fans, get a life and not try to look down on people, fucking douchebags.

The definition of fraud as given at www.dictionary.com is as follows:

A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

Given this definition and the context in which the term fraud was used in Mr. Baldwin's blog, I think it's safe to say that Coach K is indeed a fraud. Although berating players on the sidelines during games while subsequently preaching values and piety during press conferences does not necessarily constitute fraudulent activity, working officials during games (even Billy Packer admits that Coach K does that) and promoting oneself and institution during a nonrecruiting period (the ever popular American Express commercials) definitely do fall into that category. I'm not quite sure why so many of the "educated" Duke supporters fail to see this, although it is much easier to simply say, "You don't know what fraud is, Coach K is a legend," and spew a variety of vulgarities than to actually offer up a thoughtful rebuttal.

In addition, Mr. Baldwin's expereince with Coach K was questioned, and he gave a rather exhaustive list of his experiences with college basketball and Coach K. How individuals can post that he is just some dumb golf shmuck with no NCAA basketball experience is beyond me. Also, he never claimed to be spurned by Coach K himself but that some of his colleagues were. Please get the facts straight before heaping criticisms on the man.

Furthermore, concerning Coach K's "tremendous success," I think it's safe to say that he definitely did not live up to expectations this year. Anything short of a Final Four appearance has to be considered a failure with the talent they had. Also, any mark of a good coach is how well he prepares his players for the future, as Coach K himself so eloquently waxes in his American Express commercial. Not only are the majority of his players NBA busts, but so are the majority of his players who wind up as coaches (Quinn Snyder being a prime example).

But I'm sure these comments are all incorrect since they don't fall in line with the views of most egotistical Duke fans.

Wow, what a loser. So you are angry because Krzyzewski wouldnt let a deadbeat loser writer like yourself meet him face to face? I personally love writers. They are the kids on the high school team that sat at the end of the bench. They couldnt make it as athletes/coaches so they bash the people that did make it and are better than them which is about 99% of the worlds population.


Coach K has donated millions to many charities. Him and his wife even had their own. What have you done to help out your fellow man other than being a complete douchebag?

Nice generalities, tool-Mart. I'm supposing that great sportswriters like Peter King and Dr. Z are pretty much worthless, according to your comments. Just because a guy gives an opinion that differs from your own, you automatically label him as a loser with no athletic talent. If you revile writers so much, why bother reading sports articles like this in the first place?

Apparently, donating money to charity makes up for being a fraud. Again, reasoning that is pure genius.

I just have to say its amazing to see all of these Duke fans come on here in defense of their savior. Did someone seriously compare him to General Patton? What this writer is saying is true. Coach K is notorious for his bad language, most any coach, player or writer can back that up if they choose to be honest and not PC. Just ask Elton Brand his true feeling about Duke. He hated that place, why do you think he left early? I love seeing people pull up his stats, but what have those numbers done for them lately. Typically you dont consider a season a success at Duke simply by just reaching the Sweet 16 (which isnt hard for Duke to do most of the time because they usually face a 15 or 16 seed in the 1st round and then another low seed in the 2nd round). And pulling out his graduation rate means nothing. Because look at the Duke players who eventually go on to the NBA anyway, they are busts (Brand being the exception but he left after a year so he doesnt count). The reason they stay to graduate is because they arent good enough to play at the next level so they need something to fall back on.

All of you claim he is wrong but how do you know this for sure? Are any of you writers trying to get an interview? Are any of you close enough to hear coach rat during the games? And i don't want to hear that you were a student there and sat in the student section so of course you could hear him because unless you have the hearing of a dog you can't hear what he says over the crowd. But there are even videos that float around the internet where you can read the lips on exactly what Coach Rat is saying as well as his other so called class acts such as JJ Redick. The words they use are words that you would not want to teach your kids.

You people claim he is just bitter because Coach Rat wouldnt give him a face to face interview and thats because he is smart enough to know that all you'll do is take what he says out of context or change his words to make him look bad. But why is Coach K the exception, and why if he is so loved and has nothing to hide and is so successful, should he be concerned with things being taken out of context. If every other coach in the country does it, why not him?

The majority of the people who responded on here and prob. the same people who actually got scared and thought their beloved Coach Rat would leave them for the Lakers, not realizing it was just a strategy to raise his contract and get a new practice facility. Or actually believe the garbage he spews out in his credit card or Chevy commericals.

Open your eyes and mind people, Coach K is not as clean as you all think he is.

Oh my god. The comments on this page make me sick to my stomach. I can't believe there are idiots out there that believe in this phony rat faced loser. He is everything that is wrong with the world today. Horrible human being.

It's easy to whine about a team like Duke. It's easy to point to truthaboutduke.com. By the way, Duke basketball is a corporation just like every college basketball team in the big conferences.