Seth Greenberg explains how Coach K can join Nick Saban with Final Four win

As Duke makes its 13th Final Four appearance under Mike Krzyzewski and hopes to win his sixth national championship in the Hall of Famer career before retirement, ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg believes there is something else on the line. When discussing the top college coaches of all time, regardless of sport, the Blue Devils head coach can put his name next to Alabama football’s Nick Saban.

During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Seth Greenberg explained why Mike Krzyzewski can establish himself alongside Nick Saban in the conversation for best college coaches of the generation if he can lift a trophy to finish his career.

“He joins Nick Saban as the all-time greatest collegiate coach of any sport,” said Greenberg. “You talk about a sixth national championship – obviously three Olympic gold medals – Saban’s got seven national championships, two different schools. He’ll join Nick Saban as the greatest collegiate coach of our generation. I eliminate John Wooden because it’s a different generation – 16 teams in the tournament – all different factors.

“Both Saban and Coach K, you talk about agility, you talk about changing with the times, you changing your system and how you communicate with your players. To me, these two guys will separate themselves, but he’s got to win that sixth one to join Saban, because Saban has separated himself – seven national titles, two different schools.”

Dick Vitale on Mike Krzyzewski

Fellow ESPN analyst Dick Vitale made his pick for the greatest of all-time in a lengthy Facebook post on Thursday, heaping some great praise onto Krzyzewski.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion in the world of sports as that is what really made me fall in love with the various magical moments. My take as to the greatest coach of all time in college basketball to me is Mike Krzyzewski,” Vitale said. “Let me tell you why I feel that way. I guess it all depends on what criteria you utilize to make your choice. For some it is all about the number of national titles won. If that is your way of thinking than clearly your choice would be the former great leader at UCLA JOHN WOODEN who won 10 national championships.

“My method involves the total resume which means total wins, success in league competition, plus overall NCAA achievements. The # of wins by Coach are scary 1202 W’s an all time record that will never be broken. Factor in the most trips to the Final Four 13 & 5 national championships is just mind boggling. Let us not forget that he also led the USA to 3 gold medals. Also the era of competition is so intense & much more competitive. The VBDI’s final assessment is that COACH K is the greatest COACH of ALL TIME to work a college sideline. Yes he is the GOAT.”