The ACC announced its annual basketball awards on Monday, and while much of the attention focused on Cooper Flagg’s historic sweep of Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, another key decision sparked debate: the choice for ACC Coach of the Year.
Louisville’s Pat Kelsey earned the honor with 47 votes, edging out Duke’s Jon Scheyer, who received 25. Given Duke’s dominant season, some questioned whether Scheyer was unfairly overlooked. However, both coaches had compelling cases for the award.
Scheyer’s Case: Sustained Excellence at Duke
In his second season as head coach, Jon Scheyer guided Duke to a 28-3 overall record and a 19-1 mark in ACC play, securing the regular season championship and a likely top seed in the NCAA Tournament. With the Blue Devils ranked No. 1 in the latest AP Poll, Scheyer has not only maintained the program’s elite status but arguably exceeded expectations despite high preseason rankings and a top recruiting class.
What makes his achievement particularly impressive is the roster overhaul he managed. With only two scholarship players returning from last season, Scheyer quickly built a cohesive and dominant team, a difficult feat for any coach, let alone one following a legendary predecessor like Mike Krzyzewski.
Kelsey’s Case: A Rapid Rebuild at Louisville
While Duke’s success was undeniable, Pat Kelsey’s impact at Louisville was equally significant, albeit in a different way. In his first season with the Cardinals, Kelsey inherited a program that had struggled mightily in recent years and immediately injected energy and competitiveness into the team.
Louisville’s turnaround under Kelsey was particularly impressive given the injuries they faced throughout the season. Although expectations for an NCAA Tournament bid were modest at best before the season, Kelsey’s ability to maximize his roster and exceed projections resonated with voters.
The Broader Context of ACC Coach of the Year Voting
The ACC Coach of the Year award has historically been difficult for Duke coaches to win. Despite his Hall of Fame career, Mike Krzyzewski won the award just five times, with his last selection coming in 2000. Even during Duke’s national championship seasons in 2001, 2010, and 2015, Coach K was not recognized.
This trend suggests that the award often favors coaches who exceed expectations rather than those who sustain excellence. Given Duke’s stature in college basketball, voters may have felt that Scheyer’s success—while remarkable—was an extension of the program’s long-standing dominance rather than an unexpected achievement.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision between Kelsey and Scheyer came down to differing coaching narratives: one of a rapid rebuild and one of sustained excellence. While Scheyer may have had the more dominant season, Kelsey’s success in revitalizing Louisville earned him the recognition.
For Duke, missing out on the award does little to change the team’s trajectory. The Blue Devils remain focused on their pursuit of an ACC Tournament title and a deep NCAA Tournament run, with Scheyer continuing to establish himself as one of college basketball’s top young coaches.