The Blue Devils in 2022 saw a leadership change that saw the winningest coach in men’s college basketball, Mike Krzyzewski, pass down the captain’s hat to Jon Scheyer. Although taking the helm of such a storied program is no easy feat, Coach Scheyer might just have the right team for the job on his side.

“It’s the best coaching staff you can have in college basketball… the chemistry and cohesiveness that we’ve developed over this past year, and even more than that, is terrific. I’m really proud of the staff we have,” Scheyer had said. So let’s take a look at the coaches who will help shape the Blue Devils’ 2024-25 season.

Chris Carrawell: A Duke Legend and Player Developer

First and foremost is the Associate Head Coach Chris Carrawell, Scheyer’s second in command who is a former Duke All-American and the 2000 ACC Player of the Year.

Carrawell joined the staff in 2018 as an assistant coach but was soon elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach by 2021. A feat that stems from his involvement in assisting both, the former HC, and Scheyer, in securing two ACC Tournament titles, and one ACC regular-season title, while also making appearances in the Final Four and Elite Eight. In fact, he is well known for playing an important role in developing frontcourt players such as Mark Williams, Dereck Lively II, and Kyle Filipowski.

Head Coach Jon has also highlighted his expertise in the field by stating in an interview, “Chris has been with us for a long time and has built great relationships with our players. His knowledge and experience in developing frontcourt talent are invaluable.”

Jai Lucas: Master of Defense and Backcourt Development

Apart from Carrawell, Jai Lucas, is the other Associate Head Coach who was recently promoted to the position in 2023. This was a surprisingly quick promotion considering the fact that Lucas assumed the role just a year after he started his journey at Duke in 2022.

And well, let’s just say Jai Lucas took charge of Duke’s backcourt development and defensive strategy and has since then helped lead the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament title and an Elite Eight appearance in his first year.

Heralded as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, before his tenure at Duke, Coach Lucas has seen multiple successful stints at Kentucky, Texas, and Texas Tech, where he helped recruit top players, including McDonald’s All-Americans. In fact, Coach Jai’s personal journey, both as a player in the international scene in Latvia and the NBA Development League, also gives him a unique perspective that could help him coach players who aim to play at the next level.

Will Avery: From Blue Devil to Coach

Few stories come full circle as seamlessly as Will Avery’s. The former Blue Devil standout, now an assistant coach, embodies the phrase, “Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.” A key figure on Duke’s roster from 1997 to 1999, Avery was the bastion that Duke relied on for their national championship games.

As a Coach whose college career earned him second-team All-ACC honors and a coveted spot as the 14th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Will Avery is Coach all set to combine his guidance with that of Jai Lucas to help guide the young players at Duke.

“I am thrilled to come back to Duke in this new role,” Avery shared. “It’s been incredible to be part of the program that shaped me, and now I’m excited to help shape the future of these players.”

Before officially joining Jon Scheyer’s staff in July 2023, Avery’s post-playing career included founding the Will Avery Basketball Academy in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, where he dedicated years to mentoring young athletes.

Emanuel Dildy: The Recruiting Powerhouse

Emanuel Dildy is another new face who joined Duke in August 2023. Dildy, who is also known for his strong recruiting abilities, is a welcome addition to Scheyer’s Blue Devil’s coaching staff. Prior to Duke, he spent three years getting promoted to associate head coach at Northwestern and two years at Oklahoma.

At Duke, Dildy has already proven his recruiting prowess by helping secure commitments from elite players in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 classes. This haul included the No. 1 player in 2024 recruiting list by ESPN Cooper Flagg, and three players ranked in the top 30 for 2023. Whereas in 2025, Dildy played an important role in bringing No. 2 recruit Cameroon Boozer and two additional top-30 prospects to the Blue Devils side.

This has earned him considerable praise from Coach Scheyer. “I’ve known Emanuel for quite some time and have great respect for his recruiting and on-court coaching abilities. What stands out is his tireless work ethic… He’s a Chicago guy and someone that will bring tremendous energy and passion to Duke.”

Mike Schrage: A Coach with Deep Duke Ties

Hired by Jon Scheyer, Mike Schrage rejoined Duke’s coaching staff in 2022 as a special assistant to Scheyer. This was a long-awaited reunion as he had previously served as Duke’s academic and recruiting coordinator and director of basketball operations from 1999 to 2008, during Coach Jon’s stint as a player there.

Schrage has more than 20 years of experience in coaching, which includes his stints as a Head Coach at Elon, and an Assistant Coach at Ohio State, Butler, and Stanford. Schrage was also a video coordinator for USA Basketball during the 2006 World Championship and 2007 Tournament of America.

A jack of all trades, Schrage’s versatility is that, he has worn all kinds of hats, from being a Recruiting Coordinator to an Assistant Coach to a Head Coach, and hence his depth of experience makes him an invaluable asset for Scheyer’s team.

Justin Robinson: Director of Player Development

Last but not least is Justin Robinson, a former Duke captain, who joined the staff in November 2023 as the director of player development. Robinson, who was a key member of Duke’s ACC Championship teams in 2017 and 2019, brings valuable experience both as a player and a coach. He was known for his leadership on and off the court, and Scheyer has high expectations for him in his new role.

“Justin Robinson embodies the values of our program as well as anyone,” Scheyer said. “His work ethic, knowledge of Duke Basketball culture, and professional experience will be invaluable to our current players.”

Robinson’s playing career, which included his stints in Montenegro and Israel, allows him to relate to the players on a personal level as they navigate their own basketball journeys.

Jon Scheyer’s coaching staff is a blend of experience, passion, and skill, making them more than capable of helping Duke chase another NCAA title. From former Blue Devils like Chris Carrawell and Will Avery to recruiting juggernauts like Jai Lucas and Emanuel Dildy, each coach brings something unique to the table. Together, they represent the future of Duke Basketball, ready to continue the legacy of excellence that defines the program.