SARATOGA SPRINGS - Over the years Coach Rich Johns of Act With Respect Always has been visiting Duke University to speak with students. During that time his relationship with Coach K, Head Coach of the Men’s’ Basketball Team, has grown. The Final Four of March Madness is set for Saturday; Coach Johns wanted to share this story about his mentor:
“When speaking to the Duke University ‘Freshman Action’ students about Act With Respect Always a few years ago, I shared with them that I was very fortunate to be on Coach K’s ‘Energy Bus.’ I shared a caricature of Coach on his bus after winning their 4th NCAA Title. I gave him a copy of the caricature and what he did was awesome fi he sent me the attached signed piece that I will treasure forever!"
In a postgame interview posted by Bleacher Report where Duke advanced to the Final Four over Arkansas, a reporter remarked about Duke continuing their run in Coach K’s final season; Coach K announced in June that he will be retiring at the end of this season.
“I’m on their bus, they’re not on my bus‚" said Coach K to the reporter, referencing the ‘Energy Bus’ and referring to the hard work of his players. “You should be interviewing them."
Tune in to TBS this Saturday, April 2 to watch the #2 Duke Blue Devils take on their rivals, #8 North Carolina Tar Heels in a Final Four match-up; tip-off at 8:49 p.m.