Scheyer ‘not afraid’ to be Coach K’s successor

DURHAM, N.C. » Jon Scheyer remembers handling the pressure of playing for a national championship or in front of hostile crowds in high-profile games at Duke.

He confidently points to that history in his approach to managing an even bigger challenge: being the successor to Mike Krzyzewski.

“I’ve always been at my best when the crowd or the lights are its brightest, and it’s no exception with this,” Scheyer said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press.

“I believe we can do an amazing job and figure out in a different way to be incredibly successful and carry this tradition forward. So call me whatever you want, but I’m not afraid of it.”

Scheyer will spend the upcoming year in his role as associate head coach. Then it’s up to the 33-year-old to take over ahead of the 2022-23 season in the program’s first coaching change in more than four decades

The school held a news conference formally introducing Scheyer as the designated coach-in-waiting. It took place a day after Krzyzewski’s event on the Cameron Indoor Stadium court bearing his name regarding his decision to step away next spring, setting up the handoff to a trusted former Blue Devils player and assistant as a first-time head coach.

“I know my history,” Scheyer said during the news conference. “I understand. I’ve been told many times in the last 48 hours, by the way, that you’re not supposed to be the guy that follows The Guy. You’re supposed to be the guy that follows the guy that follows The Guy.”