Yes, statistics, trophies, and records are all there when you judge how ‘successful’ one was in their career. But perhaps the true measure of success in any individual’s life is the reaction to their retirement. In Michael Krzyzewski, or as he’s more commonly known as, Coach K’s case, the reaction to his retirement has clearly echoed far beyond NCAA as evident by the tributes from NASCAR.

This only goes to show just how big of an impact Coach K has had not only on college basketball but American sports in general.

After all, when you’ve been the head coach of a team from 1980 to 2022, having a bigger impact, leaving behind a massive footprint, are things that are only obvious, only natural.

Anyway, Chase Briscoe paid his tribute to the legendary coach of Duke University. He tweeted, “As a basketball fan my entire life there have been very few “staple” coaches. Coach K is certainly one of them, whether you’re a Duke fan or not it’s hard not to respect how he’s touched the game. Thankful that I was able to go to a game this year at Cameron and see him coach.”

While Jeff Burton tweeted, “You may not like him because he wasn’t the coach of your team but Coach K has earned the respect of all sport fans.”

Chase Elliott reveals the key to making it to the top to Coach K

In November 2020, right after Chase Elliott had won the NASCAR Cup Series title, he was interviewed by Coach K, who described his admiration and astonishment about learning the age when the Hendrick driver began his career.

Read More: “This Deal Pays in November” – Chase Elliott Urges Patience as He Remains Only Hendrick Motorsports Driver Without a Win This Season

This was something that Elliott felt, is an advantage for any young athlete who dreams of making it big one day.

“I guess it’s unique in some ways and similar to the basketball route in some ways too,” Elliott said.

“At 12, 13, I mean, basketball players that you’re going to see later on down the road in their careers, are already playing.”

Chase Elliott described that as time passes, it becomes tougher for an athlete to “make it to the top” of their sport if they didn’t start off as a young kid.

“I just feel like there’s things that you learn young, and now that you just somethings you’re not going to be able to teach yourself down the road,” he continued.

“I see that in other sports, probably more so than racing.”