How Many Grandchildren Does Coach K Have? A Look into His Beloved Family

With over four decades of experience, Mike Krzyzewski is one of the most reputed coaches in college basketball history. Having won the NCAA title five times only second to UCLA’s John Wooden, Coach K, as he is fondly called, has proved his mettle and made a name for himself in the game. However, not many know that the Chicago-born had humble beginnings.

Mike Krzyzewski was born to Polish parents – Emily M. and William Krzyzewski on February 13th, 1947. As per the Franciscan media, while his father was an elevator operator, his mother worked as a cleaning woman. Krzyzewski studied at West Point before enrolling in the army. He met his wife when he was only a cadet at his college. The duo tied the knot in 1969 and have shared a roof since then.

How many children and grandchildren does Coach K have?

Coach K has been married to his wife for over five decades and has three children – Debbie Savarino, Lindy Frasher, and Jimmy Spatola. The eldest daughter Debbie is married to Peter Savarino, who plied his trade as a basketball player under Coach K at Duke University.

Debbie followed in her father’s footsteps and became an assistant basketball coach for Duke University in 1998. Meanwhile, the second daughter, Lindy, works as a clinical therapist. She graduated from Duke University in psychology. She is married to Steve Frasher.

The last daughter, Jamie Spatola, also graduated in psychology like Lindy from Duke University. She now works as a teacher.

This is the starting five, as Coach K humorously calls them. As per News & Observer, Coach K has 10 grandchildren. Peter and Debbie Savarino gave birth to four kids: Sons Joey Savarino (age 21) and Michael Savarino (age 20); daughters Carly Savarino (age 17) and Emmie Savarino (age 17).

Steve and Lindy Frasher gave birth to three kids: Sons Quin Frasher (age 15), Remington Frasher (age 12) and Caden Frasher (age 8).

Chris and Jamie Spatola gave birth to three kids: John David Spatola (age 11), Mackenzie Spatola (age 9) and Madeline Spatola (age 4).

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Michael is a walk-on at Duke University. So, he is the only one in the family who calls him “Coach”.

How are Coach K’s family relations?

Despite being a national-level basketball coach, Krzyzewski is a family man. He tries to motivate all his grandchildren. Despite working as a coach for over 42 years, he remains present in their basketball games and makes it to their plays.

As per Duke Magazine, Krzyzewski said, “I’m a basketball coach, but I’m a father and grandfather first.”

In an interview with The Players’ Tribune, Coach K also enumerated how his family allows him to stay humble and grounded. “My daughters have been my guiding light… They are the ones who keep me balanced.”

How have family values impacted Coach K’s game?

Apart from being one of the most successful national-level coaches, Krzyzewski is also someone who has instilled great values in his children. According to The News & Observer, he encouraged his daughters to give back to the community during Thanksgiving by serving meals in a local soup kitchen.

Apart from this, his daughters, as children, spent a lot of time on the basketball court watching matches. His daughter Jamie Spatola, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, recollected how they would gear up for high school matches every Friday night. “We go every Friday night… It was just something we loved.”

Thus, Coach K’s basketball experience, coupled with his discipline, has played a major hand in making their kids what they are. He equally loves and takes care of his grandchildren as well.

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