Jon Scheyer Aims to Carry on Coach K’s Legacy with Duke Basketball Final Four Appearance

The Blue Devils’ head coach has joined an elite group in the sport after guiding the team to another Final Four.

Jon Scheyer, Duke’s basketball head coach, celebrates by cutting down the net after the Blue Devils defeated Alabama in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Prudential Center.

The Duke basketball team isn’t very familiar with making it to the Final Four. The only player with previous experience is Mason Gillis, who was part of the Purdue team that lost in last season’s National Championship.

However, Duke’s head coach is no stranger to advancing deep in the NCAA Tournament.

Jon Scheyer has now secured his spot in the Final Four three times—as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

By leading Duke to a dominant 85-65 victory over Alabama on Saturday, Scheyer became the third individual in NCAA Tournament history to play and coach in the Final Four with his alma mater, joining Dick Harp (Kansas) and Hubert Davis (North Carolina).

Scheyer also made his mark on several other prestigious lists, becoming the eighth person to be at the Final Four as both a player and a head coach, joining Vic Bubas, Billy Donovan, Bob Knight, Bones McKinney, Dean Smith, Harp, and Davis.

Five of these individuals have done so while representing an ACC school.

“San Antonio sounds great,” Scheyer said after the game on Saturday. “Couldn’t be more excited and happy for these guys.”

This marks the first Final Four for Duke without Mike Krzyzewski as the head coach since 1978, but his influence remains central to the team’s current success.

“I don’t know how many coaches genuinely want to see the program succeed when they leave,” Scheyer said. “For me, I’ve always wanted to make him proud.”

“I want his legacy to be how our program continues to stand as one of the top programs, and that’s something Coach K and I have discussed a lot. So there’s a responsibility and pride that comes with that.”

No. 1 Duke will face No. 1 Houston on Saturday night in San Antonio.

“I couldn’t be prouder or more thankful for the group that’s believed in me, us, and the support from our administration. It’s been incredible. I’m truly proud of everyone who has supported us in reaching this Final Four.”