On this episode of Our American Stories, before he won five national championships and became one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, Mike Krzyzewski was on the brink of being fired. In his first three seasons at Duke, Coach K struggled to win games, angered boosters, and faced mounting criticism from fans and alumni. After a humiliating loss in the 1983 ACC Tournament, many believed his tenure was over.

Bestselling sportswriter John Feinstein, a longtime friend of Coach K and author of The Legends Club, shares the story of Duke's difficult early years, the late-night conversation at a Denny's that became a turning point, and how one struggling coach went on to build one of the greatest dynasties in college basketball history.

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