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Coach K enjoying family, 'at peace' with coaching retirement

FILE - Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski watches his team play against North Carolina during a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Men's Final Four NCAA tournament, Saturday, April 2, 2022, in New Orleans. The 75-year-old has spent time with family, travel and a new puppy in the two months since his coaching retirement. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) (Brynn Anderson, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

DURHAM, N.C. ā€“ Mike Krzyzewski is savoring the first taste of life after a Hall of Fame coaching career at Duke.

The 75-year-old has spent time with family, travel and a new puppy in the two months since his coaching retirement. The magnitude of that change hit home during his granddaughterā€™s recent high school graduation.

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ā€œEight of my grandchildren were there. And usually graduations can sometimes be long, but it was beautiful,ā€ Krzyzewski said Wednesday. ā€œI was driving home with my wife Mickie ā€¦ and I said, ā€˜It was interesting. I only thought about that.ā€™

ā€œAnd for most of my life, wherever I was at, I was never completely where I was at. Youā€™re always thinking of something else. And I like that.ā€

The coach was back at the annual K Academy adult fantasy basketball camp on Wednesday. Krzyzewski said heā€™s still traveling for speaking engagements and taking time to answer correspondence.

Krzyzewski's final season included reaching 1,202 career victories and a 13th Final Four ā€” both records ā€” before losing to rival North Carolina in early April.

ā€œHeā€™s at peace. Heā€™s in a great spot,ā€ new Blue Devils coach and designated successor Jon Scheyer said, pausing to ask: ā€œWas he talking about his dog?ā€

That would be a silver Labrador named Coach, presented at the teamā€™s postseason awards ceremony. Krzyzewski pulled out his cell phone to proudly show off pictures of the roughly 4-month-old pup, who is working with Krzyzewski and a trainer.

This is part of a new life away from the sideline.

ā€œYouā€™re not thinking of everybody,ā€ Krzyzewski said. ā€œYouā€™re thinking of you and your family, and whatever responsibility that you want, not the responsibilities that you may just have to do. That keeps you fresh.ā€

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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aaronbeardap

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More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


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