Mike Krzyzewski discusses whether he would like to have a role in future NCAA progress

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski came so close to finishing the job, needing just two wins to enter retirement with another national championship. But instead, Krzyzewski’s final season came to an end following Duke’s upset loss to in-state rivals at North Carolina, and he’ll retire with five NCAA Tournament titles, along with 13 Final Four appearances.

Coach K may no longer be a figure on the sidelines, as he has for Duke the past 42 seasons. That’s not to say he’ll be completely removed from college basketball, though, as Coach K left the door open for a future with the NCAA — but he clarified, “not in a formal basis.

“I love — it’s been my life to be in college athletics. I’ve had many opportunities to go to the pros. And I’ve always felt that it’s pure — not that the pros are not, but — well, they’re not,” Coach K said. “But they’re great. And so I love college athletics. And I love it for all athletes. I mean all athletes should be represented.”

It was an emotional game for Coach K, his players and the Duke Blue Devils basketball program, not just because it ended up being Coach K’s last — but because the loss came at the hands of the Tar Heels, with in-state rivals at UNC spoiling the farewell tour. Moving forward, Coach K believes he can contribute to college basketball in some form of informal consulting capacity; however, he thinks the game can ultimately be improved more so from the help of younger, up-and-coming voices.

“If you’re going to change — don’t talk to just the older coaches. Like, the younger coaches have a real good feel for what’s happening right now with NIL and guys — not just guys, but student-athletes being represented by agents and the transfer portal. And you know why, they have a better feel for it than me? Because it affects them,” Coach K said. “And you should always talk to the people that are being affected by what’s going on now, not by people who are retired or people who are just on a committee who don’t have — they don’t have a feel for it. How do you get a feel for it? And you have to talk — and a lot of the young coaches would be great in this.”

WATCH: Mike Krzyzewski reveals emotional scene in Duke’s locker room after Final Four loss

The Duke Blue Devils lost on Saturday night to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Final Four, thus ending the legendary coaching career of Mike Krzyzewski. Following Duke’s 81-77 loss to UNC, Krzyzewski had an emotional interview where he explained the feeling inside Duke’s locker room.

Even though the season, and Krzyzewski’s career, didn’t end the way Duke wanted, the Blue Devils still accomplished a lot this season in making it to the Final Four. And that’s something that Krzyzewski is proud of.

“Just how proud and we love them,” Krzyzewski said when asked about his message to Duke’s locker room after the loss. “The brotherhood that they’ve developed, I mean they’re double champions. Regular season (ACC) and West Region champs, 32 wins, are you kidding me? And this is my final year with this team. They’ve been magnificent. I’m so proud of them and I love them. So right now it’s our responsibility to take care of them and make sure they’re okay.”

"It's an emotional win, and it's an emotional loss."

Coach K reflects on his final Duke game at the #MFinalFour pic.twitter.com/mnlgIUFZLs

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 3, 2022