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Coach K Calls For Creation of College Basketball 'Mega Conference'

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 5:43 PM ET

Mike Krzyzewski proposed a major shakeup to college basketball's conference alignment.

The legendary head coach spent 42 years in the ACC, leading Duke to 15 conference tournament titles and five national championships. Now retired, he pitched an idea to bolster the ACC's future.

On SiriusXM College Sports Radio, Coach K suggested the ACC join forces with the Big East to gain ground on the SEC and Big Ten.

"Our conference has been a great one," Krzyzewski said of the ACC last week. "I think it needs to get better. We're down, results-wise, in both men's basketball and football, at least the bowl games. I'd like to see something innovative, like I'd like to see the ACC and the Big East talk and form a mega basketball conference."

While he was mostly considering basketball, Krzyzewski noted that UConn could play football in this new super league. The men's basketball team has won back-to-back titles for the Big East, but the football program remains independent.

This alignment would give Coach K's mega-conference 12 of the last 15 men's national champions.

"At least talk about stuff like that, you know," Krzyzewski continued. "But imagine our footprint. Come on. And the quality of basketball, to go along with the tradition of basketball in our conference."

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 05, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Rick Pitino, who returned to the Big East in 2023 to coach St. John's, co-signed Coach K's suggestion.

"I am 100 percent in agreement with him," Pitino said Friday, per the New York Post's Zach Braziller. "The problem with the Big East right now and the [schools'] presidents, is they're just looking at the bottom line and they don't want to share the revenue because schools in the Big East don't have football, and they don't have money."

Even if it takes time to sort through the mess and potentially consolidate some members, Pitino thinks a conference merger would be a worthwhile long-term move. The SEC and Big Ten currently boast far more lucrative media rights deals than the ACC and Big East.

"In order for it to be grown to make millions down the road, you have to sacrifice five, six, seven years just like any company would," Pitino said. "I've been saying it all along, the only way to do that is by expansion. So, if you don't want to expand, I totally agree with Mike Krzyzewski."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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