“Be as Tough as Your Mothers”: Having Served 42 Years Coaching Young Athletes, Coach K’s Words From 2018 Will Inspire You

The name Michael William Krzyzewski, or Coach K as he is popularly known, has a special place in the hearts of basketball fans everywhere. Hailing from the thriving basketball scene of Chicago, Coach K went on to attain international fame. Throughout Coach K’s astounding 42-year career, he stayed loyal to Duke University, molding young athletes of the Blue Devils into basketball stars.

Most recently, an old clip of him guiding the Blue Devils recently resurfaced on the internet. And it will surely inspire you!

Coach K’s inspirational speech resurfaces on the internet

Coach K, as he is affectionately known, has long been respected for his ability to inspire and lead. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski gave an energizing speech to his gifted prospects at Duke during a practice session in 2018. This video was taken as a part of the ESPN production Earn Everything, an all-access series that gives viewers an inside look at the Duke basketball program.

Speaking to his talented recruits in the video, Coach K asked, “What’s one of the things that gets you out of it (the gym)?” A player replied, “Tired.”

Coach K continued, “Tired. Tired… and when you’re tired, what do you start thinking about? You. ‘I’m tired.’ When you’re home you say, ‘Mom, I’m tired,’ and you expect some sympathy or [a hug], ‘Oh, baby.'”

The coach then went on to give his players a speech that they would undoubtedly remember even today.

Coach K said, “Don’t be tired. Don’t be tired. My mother, God bless her, I never saw my mom sick. In other words, when I grew up, I woke up every day and my mom was there. I took it for granted. She’s never tired… or she never showed it.”

He continued to make his point, “Be as tough as your mothers. They show up all the time, alright, and we need to show up all the time. Be as tough as your mothers.”

Coach K’s illustrious career, which spanned four decades as the Duke Blue Devils’ head coach, came to an end in 2022.

Read More: Earning “Greatest of All Time” Status by LeBron James, a Closer Look Into Coach K’s Inspiring NCAA Legacy

Coach K had a significant impact on the sport during his time there, leading five NCAA championship teams in 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010 and 2015. Moreover, some of the talents he developed during his tenure even went on to play in the NBA.

Kyrie Irving was a Blue Devil

Although his time at Duke University was brief, Kyrie Irving impressed in just 11 games as a freshman guard. He had a stellar 46.2% 3-point shooting percentage and 52.9% field-goal shooting. Furthermore, he contributed in every area of the game with 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals a game in addition to having a remarkable 90.1% free-throw accuracy.

Irving’s Duke career, however, took a hit when he suffered a major toe injury while playing Butler. He missed the majority of his rookie year because of this injury, but it didn’t make him less of a standout. Despite the setback, he enrolled for the 2011 NBA Draft and was chosen as the first overall choice.

Watch This Story: “Built That Into a Monster”: Fans Join Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Applauding WNBA Legend-Turned-Coach for Securing March Madness Ticket

Kyrie Irving’s transition from Duke’s floor to the NBA’s premier stage was nothing short of remarkable. Kyrie’s collegiate career was relatively brief due to his injury. Yet Coach K’s mentoring had a lasting effect on his path to becoming an NBA superstar.