There is a reason why Mike Krzyzewski is the winningest men’s coach in college basketball history. In his three decades with Duke, he won 15 ACC Championships, been to 13 Final Fours, and won five NCAA tournament National Championships. But Jon Scheyer’s team is now leading the Blue Deveils as the number one seed in the Final Four against the Cougars. It’s been three years since Coach K retired, but his recent return to support the team caused some murmurs on social media.

“Mike Krzyzewski has arrived to the Alamodome for the Final Four. The Hall of Famer had not attended any of Duke’s tournament games to this point but is in the house for his Blue Devils this weekend.” John Fanta reported on X about the Hall of Famer coach supporting his former team for the first time in this post-season. Since it was the first time, a netizen replied, “why you have to add the “not attended any before” part. just trying to start shit smh.”

As stated before, it’s been three years since Scheyer has taken over the reigns. But the question always remains if he would be able to replicate Coach K’s success with Duke. Even the current head coach spoke to the media recently about his blunt feelings regarding the comparisons.

“This hasn’t been about outside noise for me. My energy has gone into everybody that’s in our building, our team, what we can control.” The 37-year-old provided the perfect answer, as he is ready to take his team one step closer to the championship. It was back in 2013 when Scheyer joined Coach K’s coaching staff as a special assistant to Mike Krzyzewski. Now, the former Blue Devil is leading them to success after learning the tricks of the trade from one of the best.

But fans aren’t happy, as the former head coach is all over the headlines. Some even feared that the first-time appearance for the 78-year-old could “jinx” the team at the crucial stage.

Is Coach K not the lucky charm anymore?

It was in 1980 when Mike Krzyzewski took over the Duke’s program, and it took him 5 years to enter his first Final Four. Fast forward to today, Coach K has transformed the program into one of the elite ones. And Jon Scheyer has continued to follow in the footsteps. But one fan felt that without the Hall of Famer coach’s presence, the team was already winning this season. “Jinxed them.”

The team has only lost just three games this season, all by single digits. One might remember the words that Krzyzewski uttered as a vote of confidence for Scheyer. “Duke could not be in better hands moving forward.” However, now that he is present on the sideline, one netizen added, “Perfect time for them to lose”. Some tout the current roster of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, and others as one of the best ever for Duke. The team has thrived, and they are the number one seed.

With all eyes locked in on the consensus number one draft pick, Flagg, one fan quipped if Krzyzewski will take over the limelight. “Will they have a camera locked on Coach K and Mickie like the UNC game?” Tired of the constant comparison, one fan even questioned Krzyzewski’s intention of being at the game. “Has to make it about him somehow.”

With the Gators’ convincing win over Auburn, they await the winner of Duke and Houston. Let’s see if fan theories of Coach K’s presence become true. Or if his presence provides extra motivation for not only the player but even the current coach.