Next dance for Coach K: How about Triangle biz recruiting, Marvel movies … or Congress?

Editor’s note: Billy Warden is a writer, marketing exec and multimedia producer based in the Research Triangle, where he co-founded the p.r. agency GBW Strategies. He writes a column exclusively for WRAL TechWire. His posts appear on Mondays.

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Coach K is just too good – or bad, whichever you prefer – to go away. As his last March Madness wound down Saturday in New Orleans with a loss to the Tar Heels, it seems mad that this unforgettable character, this incorrigible winner, this longrunning villain is really exiting.

Here’s how the hard-to-impress Guardian recently described Krzyzewski: “In his 42 seasons with Duke, he has won five national championships and will be playing in his record 13th Final Four on 2 April. He has 1,200 wins in Division 1 basketball, placing him well ahead of the competition. Love him or hate him, and chances are it’s the latter, it’s likely he will be remembered as the greatest college basketball coach of his generation.”

I understand the last line about K being the “greatest” is triggering in the extreme and apologize to readers whose throats have clenched, eyeballs popped and/or heads exploded. (The reason both Duke and UNC-CH have such renowned hospitals is to treat the maladies of b-ball fandom – so please, don’t be shy about seeking medical attention.)

Photo courtesy of Billy Warden

The point here isn’t to eulogize K, but to find a way for him to continue to ply his talents – or dark arts, whichever you prefer – and remain a fixture of our lives. Because, having lived in North Carolina for decades, I can’t imagine life without him.

Battling super heroes

The only thing in the universe bigger than ACC basketball? Marvel movies. Speaking as a Carolina grad, it’s clear Coach K could move seamlessly into the Marvel universe as a diabolical mastermind.

His nickname. His persona. His flesh-shredding gaze. Marvel wouldn’t have to change a thing to pit its heroes against a foil who’d probably be favored by Vegas oddsmakers.

Making the D.C. political establishment his new team

Duke has featured, to again quote The Guardian, “some of the most disliked players in college history, from Christian Laettner to JJ Redick to Grayson Allen.” Under K, these perceived malefactors have also been winners.

You know who else isn’t particularly liked? Washington D.C.’s political establishment. You know who else desperately needs to put more wins on the board? Washington D.C.

Trading Cameron Crazies for Congressional Crazies? It’s a no-brainer.

Triangle talent pipeline recruitment

With companies of all kinds flocking to the Triangle, we need a pressure-hose pipeline of talent.

Given his record of success over the last 700 years or so, K can clearly recruit stars and develop raw prospects. With him at the talent helm, San Francisco, Austin, Boston etc. would fall like so many ACC dominoes.

This isn’t goodbye, then. Heck, it might just be half time! (Again, apologies for any heart seizures resulting from this idea. Again, seek medical attention.)