ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 1997 TAG: 9703110109
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C.
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The upstart Blue Devils surprised everyone by winning the ACC regular-season title.
Two years removed from an operation that forced him to miss half a season, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was chosen coach of the year in the ACC after leading the Blue Devils to the league's regular-season title, a 23-8 record and No. 8 national ranking.
Krzyzewski, seeking his 400th victory at Duke on Friday night against Murray State in the NCAA Tournament, received 56 of the 119 votes cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Association.
Dean Smith of ACC tournament champion North Carolina was second in the voting with 27, while Gary Williams of Maryland was third with 17.
``To me this has been one of the more entertaining years in the ACC, that's why being coach of the year - wow,'' Krzyzewski said Monday.
It was Coach K's first ACC coach of the year award since 1986 and his third overall in 17 seasons. He also won it in 1984.
The Blue Devils were picked to finish fourth in the league in the preseason.
Krzyzewski, 50, will be looking to guide the Duke program to its eighth Final Four under his leadership.
``It's been a constant discovery about our team because we didn't come into the season with preconceived notions about individuals or our team,'' Krzyzewski said. ``I believe that has set forth a very competitive and a fair environment, and as a result these kids have learned to play together well and believe in what we do.''
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS. Mike Krzyzewski is ACC coach of theby CNByear for the third time. color.