The Blue Bloods followed their succession plans, but they must work.
The similarities – and differences – between the Carolina-Duke rivalry have been stark for more than 75 years. Public versus private, large in-state versus small and elite, Southern versus Gothic, etc.
And two great basketball programs that have become almost clones of one another during the eras of Dean Smith-Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski. Because Smith was older, he owned the standard that Coach K admittedly tried to emulate with his own subtle changes.
The last time Duke picked a basketball coach from within its family was when Bucky Waters succeeded Vic Bubas in 1969, and how did that turn out for the Blue Devils? About as well as the Matt Doherty disaster until Williams returned to right the listing ship.
We can argue all day about the standards that both programs have set for themselves over the last 40-50 years – NCAA bid every season? Regular deep runs in the dance? A national championship, what, every five years or so? But, clearly, Hubert Davis’ and Jon Scheyer’s popularity won’t last long unless some iterations are met.
At a time when both schools could have justifiably gone outside the “family” and the “brotherhood,” neither did because of influence two Hall of Fame coaches had. Ol’ Roy made it clear at his retirement press conference; Coach K admitted at his that he made the decision.
So where the Tar Heels could have gone after a successful Power 5 coach who fit, they turned to Hubert in what now appears to be a no-brainer. The Blue Devils chose a similar 8-year assistant when they could have had their pick of established NBA or college coaches.
Don’t bet the ranch that both choices will work like a charm.
Williams worked because he learned at the hand of Smith, who was a giver much more than a taker. Krzyzewski allowed that he lasted at Duke for 41 years because Tom Butters, the man who hired him, believed way beyond the “Concerned” Iron Dukes and majority of the fan base, and he got time to become extraordinarily good at his job.
The success of the multi-championship predecessors will begin the new tenures as a blessing, but that could turn out to also be a curse if expectations are not tempered by the reality of how lucky we have been to watch this unmatched rivalry from our own backyard.
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