Famous Quotes & Sayings

Mike Krzyzewski

Footwork is one of the primary prerequisites to becoming a great player

Mike Krzyzewski

A team is a fist-not five fingers.

Mike Krzyzewski

I didn't miss any games, but Coach Knight came out and spent three days with my family in Chicago when my dad passed away. I came back and played and it was good therapy for me. Having a basketball family and a coach who understood and actually became like a father figure for that time was comforting to me, and I'm sure that will be comforting to Coleman.

Mike Krzyzewski

I was very pleased with the entire selection process. The manner in which it was conducted included all parts of United States' basketball, from the professional level to the colleges and high schools. Everyone was considered.

Mike Krzyzewski

The worst thing we can do is put the (other) team in a one-and-one.

Mike Krzyzewski

Leadership is an ever-evolving position.

Mike Krzyzewski

Effort is fully replenishable. There is no need to save any of it. Leave every bit you have on the playing field

Mike Krzyzewski

Courage gives a leader the ability to stand straight and not sway, no matter which way the wind blows.

Mike Krzyzewski

Each group and each youngster is different. As a leader or coach, you get to know what they need.

Mike Krzyzewski

I don't think we surprise people. We try to out-execute them.

Mike Krzyzewski

Don't do anything as an individual that will make you stand out from your teammates.

Mike Krzyzewski

Everybody wants to take responsibility when you win, but when you fail, all these fingers are pointing.

Mike Krzyzewski

Goals should be realistic, attainable, and shared among all members of the team

Mike Krzyzewski

I think leadership is never singular. In a good organization, it's plural.

Mike Krzyzewski

Confrontation simply means meeting the truth head-on.

Mike Krzyzewski

Whatever a leader does now sets up what he does later. And there's always a later.

Mike Krzyzewski

Don't worry about losing. Think about winning.

Mike Krzyzewski

Play and practice like you are trying to make the team.

Mike Krzyzewski

If you have talent with teamwork, you've got a chance to be a championship team.

Mike Krzyzewski

That's what I do now: I lead and I teach. If we win basketball games from doing that, then that's great, but I lead and teach. Those are the two things I concentrate on.

Mike Krzyzewski

Our goal is not to win. It's to play together and play hard. Then, winning takes care of itself.

Mike Krzyzewski

I always wanted to teach.

Mike Krzyzewski

If a team cannot perform with excellence at a moment's notice, they probably will fail in the long run.

Mike Krzyzewski

You can't defer if you're the person who's in the leadership position.

Mike Krzyzewski

With accomplishments comes confidence and with confidence comes belief. It has to be in that order.

Mike Krzyzewski

A basketball team is like the five fingers on your hand. If you can get them all together, you have a fist. That's how I want you to play.

Mike Krzyzewski

Champions play as they practice. Create a consistency of excellence in all your habits.

Mike Krzyzewski

I'm looking for players who make their teammates better. You do that with enthusiasm and passion.

Mike Krzyzewski

The thing I loved the most - and still love the most about teaching - is that you can connect with an individual or a group, and see that individual or group exceed their limits.

Mike Krzyzewski

I don't look at myself as a basketball coach. I look at myself as a leader who happens to coach basketball.

Mike Krzyzewski

When you are passionate, you always have your destination in sight and you are not distracted by obstacles. Because you love what you are pursuing, things like rejection and setbacks will not hinder you in your pursuit. You believe that nothing can stop you!

Mike Krzyzewski

You don't just be a team. You become a team. Through tough games you find that you need each other

Mike Krzyzewski

Imagination has a great deal to do with winning.