The ACC revealed its annual basketball honors on Monday, and although much of the attention was focused on Cooper Flagg’s unprecedented sweep of Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, another critical decision prompted debate: the selection of ACC Coach of the Year. Pat Kelsey of Louisville won with 47 votes, beating Duke’s Jon Scheyer, who garnered 25. Given Duke’s strong season, several wondered if Scheyer was unfairly overlooked. However, both coaches made persuasive justifications for the honor.
Scheyer’s Case: Sustained Excellence at Duke
In his second season as head coach, Jon Scheyer led Duke to a 28-3 overall record and a 19-1 ACC record, winning the regular season championship and a potential top seed in the NCAA Tournament. With the Blue Devils ranked first in the most recent AP Poll, Scheyer has not only maintained the program’s elite reputation, but possibly exceeded expectations despite excellent preseason rankings and a strong recruiting class. What makes his accomplishment especially amazing is the roster change he oversaw. With only two scholarship players returning from last season, Scheyer swiftly established a cohesive and powerful squad, a challenging task for any coach, let alone one who succeeds a great predecessor like Mike Krzyzewski.
Kelsey’s Case: A Rapid Rebuild at Louisville
While Duke’s success was clear, Pat Kelsey’s impact on Louisville was just as profound, albeit in a different way. Kelsey took over a struggling program in his first season with the Cardinals and quickly instilled energy and competition in the club. Louisville’s turnaround under Kelsey was especially impressive given the injuries they sustained throughout the season. Although preseason expectations for an NCAA Tournament bid were modest at best, voters were impressed by Kelsey’s ability to optimize his roster and outperform projections.
The Broader Context of ACC Coach of the Year Voting
Historically, Duke coaches have struggled to win the ACC Coach of the Year honor. Despite his Hall of Fame career, Mike Krzyzewski only won the honor five times, the last being in 2000. Coach K received no recognition during Duke’s national title seasons in 2001, 2010, or 2015. This tendency implies that the prize frequently rewards coaches who exceed expectations over those who maintain excellence. Given Duke’s reputation in collegiate basketball, voters may have perceived Scheyer’s success, while amazing, as an extension of the program’s long-standing dominance rather than an unexpected accomplishment.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between Kelsey and Scheyer came down to two competing coaching narratives: one of a quick reconstruction and one of persistent excellence. While Scheyer had a more dominant season, Kelsey was recognized for his efforts to revitalize Louisville. For Duke, not winning the honor had minimal impact on the team’s direction. The Blue Devils are focused on winning the ACC Tournament and making a long NCAA Tournament run, with Scheyer cementing his reputation as one of college basketball’s premier young coaches.