There’s an old saying in coaching circles that “you never want to be the guy who follows The Guy,” and college basketball history is filled with examples of high-profile programs that botched their succession plan when their legendary leader finally retired.

Over the past three-plus seasons, Duke has proven to be a spectacular exception to those long-standing rules of thumb.

The Blue Devils’ 2022 transition from 75-year-old, five-time national champion Mike Krzyzewski to his former star guard and long-time assistant, Jon Scheyer (then 34), has been nearly perfect, a case study that should be required reading for sports administrators everywhere.

During his first three seasons leading the Devils, Scheyer accomplished virtually everything except a national championship, and here in the 2025-26 season, he has built a brilliant team (35-2) that has as good a chance as anyone to cut down the NCAA title nets in April.

In part because Scheyer’s appointment as Coach K’s successor was announced (in June 2021) almost a year before it took full effect, Duke never missed a beat on the recruiting trail.

All four of Scheyer’s recruiting classes have been ranked among the best in the nation, and he’s now produced back-to-back National Players of the Year in freshman forwards Cooper Flagg (2025) and Cameron Boozer (2026). All five starters from last year’s Final Four team, including three true freshmen, are now playing in the NBA.

Meanwhile, during his first three-plus campaigns, Scheyer has led the Devils to three ACC championships (2023, 2025, 2026), two regular-season titles (2025, 2026), three Elite Eights (2024, 2025, 2026) and one Final Four (2025). No other new head coach in ACC history won three league crowns in his first four years.

Counting this season, Scheyer’s sprint to a stellar 124-24 career record (.838) included another milestone: fastest ACC head coach to 100 victories. Scheyer hit the century mark in just 122 games, edging legendary Duke coach Vic Bubas, who did it in his first 128 contests.

As was the case last year, Duke is among the only teams in the nation playing top-10 offense and top-10 defense in the efficiency rankings, a statistical rarity that often foreshadows a national championship run.

In 2025, the only teams that ultimately fit that description were Auburn, Duke and Florida (which won the NCAA title). This season, as of March 29, the only Elite Eight teams that meet both standards are Duke, Arizona and Michigan. The Blue Devils beat the Wolverines 68-63 during the regular season.

No team is perfect. There are games when Duke’s point guard play, led by ailing junior Caleb Foster (returned in Sweet 16 from fractured right foot) and fast-improving freshman Cayden Boozer, is only OK. There are games when #2 scorer Isaiah Evans shoots poorly from the perimeter, or when center Patrick Ngongba II (recently shaky after his return from injury) gets into foul trouble.

But Duke plays consistently outstanding defense, with special contributions from freshman swingman Dame Sarr on the perimeter and senior forward Maliq Brown all over the court, and the Devils have the ultimate answer on most nights with Boozer, a truly awesome combination of scoring, rebounding, passing, defending, poise and leadership.

“Cam is never satisfied. I think that’s the great thing about him. That’s what makes him special,” Scheyer said recently. “He’s wired where he’s all about his teammates. He’s not about numbers; he’s about winning.

“I think when your best player is that way, it becomes contagious and has a big effect on the rest of the group.”