A coaching career as long as ‘Coach K’ can surely do a number to someone. However, it only did good things for him. Mike Krzyzewski has kept up his reputation as one of the greatest coaches. If not the greatest, then he delivered most of any school or budding athlete could have asked for. And although his heart is still young, his body is not. After several surgeries in the span of many years, he has finally accepted the one thing that kept him young and that was his coaching career. But contrasting to his rather stern behavior as a coach, he has now mellowed down.

On the latest episode of the ‘Nothing But Net‘ podcast with Debbie Antonelli, Coach K talked about his in-bone ankle replacement surgery in January. Laughing off, he said, “I’m good…They had to realign my left foot. I now have most of my body parts given to me from medical people. Two hips, two knees, and one ankle. I trying to save my right ankle. Everything’s good. I’m fortunate to be at a place with amazing medical people that can help me.”

Duke’s respected coach who has lived a glorious life has been a long-time patient of osteoarthritis. The chronic condition left his joints faulty and painful. Moreover, he missed the entire 1994 season because he was recovering from his back surgery. Over the last few years, ‘Coach K’ has had medical procedures for his left hip, right hip, and right knee.

During the interview, another thing that ‘Coach K’ wanted to mention was what kept him young over the almost half-century he spent coaching young athletes.

‘Coach K’ appreciates the young athletes for

Reminiscing about his past years when he was in contact with young children, ‘Coach K’ mentioned how he appreciated them. And although it was not for how they performed, it was for their indirect effect on the seasoned coach. Praising the athletes, he said, “I spent my whole life working with youngsters. They’re in college but they’re still young. The joy you get from working for these young men and women is unbelievable. I’m not sure if we give them more than they give us. As a result, you stay young. Because you’re always interacting with young and enthusiastic hardworking kids that wanna have fun.”

‘Coach K’ has really left a legacy behind at Duke. He has brought 5 National championships to Durham, which makes him stand at the second position of all-time. Further, with him, the Blue Devils had the March Madness journey till Final 4 13 times, with 17 elite eight and 26 sweet sixteen. He took Duke to the NCAA tournaments a total of 36 times, grabbing the most NCAA tournament wins at 101. His gold-ridden legacy surely is one that will stand for a long time, even if he doesn’t.