Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Salary, Net Worth Revealed

Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K, was not only widely regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches of all time but was also one of the highest-paid before his retirement.

The 75-year-old led the Duke Blue Devils in his final game as coach at Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday. The game — in which the Blue Devils lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels, 94-81 — marked his 647th as Blue Devils coach and 1,562nd overall.

Krzyzewski retired as coach with a net worth of $45 million and an annual salary of $9.7 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Krzyzewski took over the head coach position for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team in 1980. At the time, he was paid $48,000 annually, but by the early 1990s, he was making $500,000 a year in salary and $200,000 in shoe endorsements.

In 2000, Duke offered Krzyzewski a lifetime deal, which helped him make more money.

According to Duke's tax releases, the coach made just under $600,000 in total compensation in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, his salary increased to $750,000, and $800,000 the following year.

He broke the million-dollar mark with a $1.2 million salary in 2005. His earnings started taking off thereafter.

By 2012, Krzyzewski was bringing in $7.6 million in base salary alone. Throughout most of the 2010s, he was topping $9 million in earnings every single year.

It is estimated that Krzyzewski made more than $125 million throughout his Duke career, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

During his 42 years as coach, Krzyzewski's Blue Devils teams won nearly 79% of their games, made 36 NCAA Tournaments, finished first in the ACC 13 times and won five national championships. He also guided Duke to 26 appearances in the Sweet 16 and 16 appearances in the Elite Eight.

Krzyzewski, who has also won five Olympic gold medals, is tied with legendary UCLA coach John Wooden for most NCAA Final Four appearances with 12, according to NBC Sports.

In June 2021, Krzyzewski made the announcement that he will retire after the 2021-22 college basketball season.

"I'm ready," he said last week of his retirement, ahead of his final game as coach, according to CBS Sports. "Believe me, there's no thought in my mind."

Krzyzewski also denied rumors that he will continue to have a presence in the basketball program after Jon Scheyer takes over as head coach.

"This is not about me," he said. "Some people have told me some things have been written (that) I'm trying to maintain control. That could not be further from the truth. It was mine for 42 years, but it's Duke's forever."

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils talks to head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange before their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images