11/05/24
April 05, 2010
Nets to Offer Mike Krzyzewski $12 to $15 Million a Year: If Mikhail Prokhorov has his way, Mike Krzyzewski will be coaching his last collegiate game Monday night against Butler. Al Iannazzone reports that Prokhorov will waste no time once approved later this month and offer the Duke coach a contract worth between $12 and $15 million a year. Under one scenario, Krzyzewski would serve as both head coach and general manager. A contract on that scale would make Krzyzewski the highest paid coach in any sport. Phil Jackson currently makes $10.3 million.
posted by BornIcon to basketball at 08:16 AM - 15 comments
The Lakers offered Coach K the head coaching position back in '04 but that was for about $8 million per year.
posted by BornIcon at 08:40 AM on April 05, 2010
The Lakers offered Coach K the head coaching position back in '04 but that was for about $8 million per year.
I am not sure that the extra $7 million beyond what LA offered would be sufficient cause to subject one's self to New Jersey. My money says that Mikhail Prokhorov doesn't have enough money to get Coach K to come live in to New Jersey. I know he doesn't have enough money to get me to come live in New Jersey.
posted by Demophon at 09:08 AM on April 05, 2010
I am not sure that the extra $7 million beyond what LA offered would be sufficient cause to subject one's self to New Jersey.
Ya, those are my thoughts. For all the craziness in LA, at least if you go to coach there, you know there will be talent on the roster and you have some established players. My question is how much are pros going to be coachable from a Coach K? Granted, he's had success with the international teams, but that's also a group of all stars that don't require the managing and coaching of a basement dweller.
posted by jmd82 at 09:58 AM on April 05, 2010
Coach K is in his sixties, he works for a private university so his salary isn't subject to heavy scrutiny as it would be if he were a state employee at a public university. He's likely well-invested with the millions he's made to date (his shoe and apparel deals alone are huge). He doesn't need any more money.
Plus, we're talking about Russian money. If I were of Polish descent, that would count for something on my tally sheet.
Coach K also probably wouldn't place any value on the satisfaction of out-earning Phil Jackson (who has been less than congenial and courteous to college coaches entering the NBA in the past).
If Coach K left, who would coach Duke? Brad Stevens?
posted by beaverboard at 10:55 AM on April 05, 2010
Dick Vitale?
posted by jmd82 at 11:00 AM on April 05, 2010
To go with today's take on New Jersey
posted by Demophon at 11:08 AM on April 05, 2010
Never happen. Coach K is a God at Duke. He'd be crazy to go to the Nets.
posted by Shotput at 02:34 PM on April 05, 2010
For the reasons that beaverboard and Shotput profess, Coach K. would not take on a professional coaching job. Who needs the problems of dealing with a bunch of overpaid stars who will tune you out as soon as they tire of your message? Quite a few years ago, a struggling New England Patriots football team tried to entice Joe Paterno into becoming their head coach. He refused them, and that seemed to turn out well for Joe Pa.
posted by Howard_T at 02:39 PM on April 05, 2010
And the Patriots.
posted by bigpimp311 at 02:58 PM on April 05, 2010
There's a very wealthy man in Indianapolis who will pay Coach Krzyzewski $10 million to leave Duke this afternoon.
He doesn't have to go to Jersey. He just has to leave Duke.
posted by beaverboard at 03:10 PM on April 05, 2010
I think the story here is less "Coach K gets offered megabucks to lead NBA team" and more "Prokhorov has a lot of money, likes to have fun, and wants to win". If Prokhorov can do to the Nets (whether they stay in Jersey or move to Brooklyn) what Mark Cuban did with the Mavs, the NBA as a whole will be much better off.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:48 PM on April 05, 2010
"I know he doesn't have enough money to get me to come live in New Jersey."
Agreed, and I'm stuck here in Jersey. HELP! Coach K, don't do it. Honestly, how many college coaches have had success in the NBA? Larry Brown and who? Although the Nets might qualify as a mid-level Division I squad.
posted by jjzucal at 10:05 PM on April 05, 2010
K's on record as saying he has absolutely no interest in the Nets, and that the Nets never called him.
While I'm not a Duke fan...was really cheering for Butler tonight...Coach K is a legend and I can't see him going anywhere.
posted by dviking at 12:16 AM on April 06, 2010
K's on record as saying he has absolutely no interest in the Nets, and that the Nets never called him.
Let's just wait and see if he has any interest now since he just won another National Championship.
The Nets may have not called Coach K personally but what about who represents him?
posted by BornIcon at 06:47 AM on April 06, 2010
Wow. Hasn't Mike K. been offered a professional coaching position before and he has never accepted?